Coombs is the first Canberra suburb to have its public housing planned from the outset and the ACT government aims to have it built by Christmas next year.
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The Land Development Agency has submitted plans to construct 158 units on seven separate sites across the new suburb on the Molonglo River.
Four of the seven proposed multi-unit development applications under review by the ACT Planning and Land Authority are for 25-dwelling constructions, with a 17 unit construction proposed for Woodbury Avenue and Cornelius Street and a 16 unit building planned for Taggart Terrace.
Public Housing Renewal Taskforce executive director David Collett confirmed each of the seven small developments would consist only of public housing and would be managed by Housing ACT.
Development applications for all seven sites were submitted at once and the sites have been bundled into two design and construction contracts so building is expected to be finalised at the same time, he said.
"By progressing work on these sites simultaneously, the taskforce has been able to give residents of Coombs a complete picture of the proposed public housing developments, rather than a piecemeal approach.
"When completed, this housing will be used to support the redevelopment of some of the ACT's larger and older multi-unit complexes on Northbourne Avenue and other areas of Inner North and Inner South Canberra."
The replacement housing would improve the quality of the public housing portfolio and assist in breaking down concentrations of disadvantage, but would not be limited to tenants relocating from Northbourne Avenue or other multi-unit properties, he said.
Concentrations of public housing vary across the ACT with the highest figure, 12 per cent, in Ainslie.
Mr Collett said given the plans for Coombs it was expected the total public housing stock would represent 6 per cent of homes, close to the Canberra average of 5 per cent.
While public housing re-development around Canberra has sparked plenty of confusion and opposition, Mr Collett said the taskforce put considerable energy into keeping communities informed.
"While this is the first time to have a plan for public housing in a complete suburb, the taskforce took the opportunity that presented itself in Coombs and also has extensive details of the proposals for future public housing in the new suburbs of both Moncrieff and Throsby," he said.
"It is anticipated that the same level of detail will be included for future development sites such as Denman Prospect."
