10 Nov 2011

Maori invited to apply for social housing fund

7:51 am on 10 November 2011

Maori are being urged to bid for funding set aside to increase the amount of social and affordable housing.

A total of $37.35 million is available to all types of housing providers - with $3 million of that guaranteed for Maori.

The Social Housing Unit says some of the organisations who might apply would be iwi, hapu, collectives and whanau ora groups.

The unit's interim director Michael Pead says they're looking for projects to be happening within the next six to 12 months.

He says the Government's not interested in the money being made available - and then no houses built to help people.

Mr Pead says applications for four different funds close between early December to end of January next year.