Community advocates have called for informed and measured debate about the ACT government's strategy for placing new public housing developments and backed the longstanding "salt and pepper" approach in the city's suburbs.
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Hundreds of Gungahlin residents are opposed to plans for a new 14-unit public housing development in Nicholls, indicating possible strong opposition to the relocation of tenants currently living in the Northbourne Avenue precinct, the Allawah, Bega and Currong flats and estates in Griffith, Woden and Red Hill.
In submissions to the government, 200 residents said they feared negative impacts from drug use, crime and a drain on local infrastructure in Nicholls from new housing near the Gold Creek primary school. They cited inadequate public transport and parking, premium property prices and concerns about mental illness and drug use.
ACT Council of Social Service director Susan Helyar said some comments were uninformed and discriminatory.
"What people need to understand is that public housing tenants are no more likely to be involved in criminal behaviour or to increase risks in their neighbourhoods and are no less likely to take pride in their homes and to be a good neighbour," she said.
"For the last 50 years we've had small-scale public housing developments in virtually every suburb in Canberra, so this is no change. It's just there will be some suburbs who are part of growing diversity of cases of where people can live."
By 2020, about 1300 residents will be relocated to developments of between 14 and 25 units around Canberra. The "salt and pepper" system is designed to avoid clusters of disadvantage and to promote social inclusion.
Garran public housing resident Anne Eccleston moved into her home more than 10 years ago after becoming eligible for the age pension.
"I am very happy here," she said. "There are 15 cottages and they are all public housing tenants. We are very safe and I've never really had any trouble, ever."
The 73-year-old said mixing public and private housing around Canberra had strengthened the community over decades, but well-managed placement of vulnerable people was needed.
"It should continue, but there is no use putting an old person next to a 20-year-old. It needs to be well managed."
Mrs Eccleston praised Housing ACT's management of her complex and said she took great pride in the home.
"It was spotless and has everything I needed."
Advocacy for Inclusion general manager Christina Ryan criticised some Nicholls residents for expressing "prejudice and snobbery".
"The largest single tenancy group in public housing in Australia is women with disabilities, and most live alone in single occupancy dwellings. Many are women escaping violence, and some also have children," she said.
Ms Ryan said suggesting women and other public housing tenants were not welcome because they could bring a "negative impact" to suburbs such as Nicholls was highly offensive and reflected poorly on the individuals.
"Hopefully none of the 200 residents who have objected to this small housing development suddenly acquire a disability, or become homeless, lest they become unwelcome in their "family-friendly neighbourhood".
Youth Coalition of the ACT director Emma Robertson said young people relied on public and affordable housing around Canberra.
"Our main concern is that many young people don't earn the kind of income that lots of people in the Canberra community do.
"At the moment, housing options for them are virtually non-existent. The criticisms that have been levelled are way out of proportion ... but concerns about the behaviours of people who access public housing are really concerning, particularly around threats to children.
"Many people living in public housing are neighbours and participants in school and communities and part of local workforces. They're raising families, they're studying ... and there are people who have other issues and seeking support."
The Nicholls project has been modified after consultation, including reducing unit numbers from 16 to 14. Construction is planned from late 2015 with completion by 2016 or 2017.
