Social Housing Funds open
The Social Housing Unit, Te Wāhanga Kāinga Pāpori, has released detailed information about four new funds to support increased social and affordable housing.
"Each of the funds is targeted for a different part of the social and affordable housing sector," Michael Pead, Interim Director of the Unit, said.
"Our overall aim is to encourage significant growth in the sector, through funding and also by facilitating partnerships involving surplus housing stock or land," he said.
The following funds are now open for tender:
- Growth fund – Pūtea Whakatipu
- Māori fund – Pūtea Māori
- Niche fund – Pūtea Kaupapa Motuhake
- Rural fund – Pūtea Taiwhenua.
There is $37.35 million available for allocation to social and affordable housing providers during 2011/12.
To be eligible for funding, housing providers will need to demonstrate they meet desired social and affordable outcomes, for the best value for money. They will also need to put forward proposals that are fully scoped and at an advanced state of readiness.
"This is the Unit’s first year of operation," Michael Pead said, "so the way we work with the sector is likely to change over time. Information on the outcome of this year’s funding will be used to inform future Government decisions on funding for social housing."
The Unit is also starting a short programme of social housing forums in different parts of the country, to meet with providers and discuss the Unit’s work with them.
Summary information about the funds has been posted on the Social Housing Unit website at: http://www.socialhousingunit.govt.nz , and the full tender documents are available through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) at: http://www.gets.govt.nz .