The Otago Daily Times was excluded from the meeting, which was organised by the Ministry of Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki, following an announcement last week the home at 1 Will St would house some of Dunedin's most vulnerable young offenders.
When people at the meeting were told media were not allowed to stay, some questioned ''what the ministry had to hide''.
Following the meeting, youth justice manager Garry Linton said while the atmosphere of the meeting had been tense among ''a few vocal people'' it ended on a positive note.
''It was an opportunity for our neighbours to hear who we are and what we are endeavouring to do.''
A question and answer session attracted lots of feedback, including offers of support from the neighbours for future residents, Mr Linton said.
Will St resident Dayle Bannister said she left the meeting feeling like ''they were just ticking a box tonight and didn't really take us seriously''.
''All residents seemed to be upset that the media were not allowed to stay.
''I think that the majority of residents wanted an assurance that our children and properties would be safe when the remand house opened in its new capacity.''
In response to points raised at the meeting, security cameras would be installed on the perimeter of the property, and a community meeting involving police and youth advocates would be held.
Youth Justice Services deputy chief executive Allan Boreham said the facility would house three youths at a time, but five could live there in emergency situations.
The facility was used by a single high-needs resident until last August. It was used as a Child, Youth and Family residence until several years ago when it became unusable because of a lack of caregivers.
Earlier this week, the ministry was criticised by some Will St residents who said they did not know about plans to reopen the facility until they read about them in the ODT.
The ministry said 27 households considered ''immediate neighbours'' had received hand-delivered invitations to a meeting last month.
However, two Will St residents were among a group to contact the ODT to say they had received no information.
The ministry ''accepted'' residents' concerns about communication, Mr Linton said, and future pamphlet drops would go to about 300 households.
The home was expected to open at the end of August.
