Social Housing Funds open

The Social Housing Unit, Te Wāhanga Kāinga Pāpori, today 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 today.

‘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.

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 today 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 www.socialhousingunit.govt.nz, and the full tender documents are available through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) at www.gets.govt.nz

Key aspects of the four funds are summarised below:

Growth fund
Pūtea Whakatipu Māori fund
Pūtea Māori Niche fund
Pūtea Kaupapa Motuhake Rural fund
Pūtea Taiwhenua

Project is fully scoped Yes Yes Yes Yes

Target group/ purpose •

Providers who can achieve critical mass and deliver ongoing growth
• Providers with an asset or investment base for social and affordable housing Māori freehold or reserve land for housing, including multiply-owned land
• Sustainable communities for Māori Providers working on small, local scale or with specific client group A priority for Māori freehold or reserve land for housing, including multiply-owned land
• Sustainable rural communities

Must be not-for-profit No Yes Yes Yes

Funding Grants, operating funding or other assistance Grants for up to 50% of capital costs Grants for up to 50% of capital costs Grants for up to 50% of capital costs

Closing date 27 January 2012 19 December 2011 5 December 2011 19 December 2011

© Scoop Media