NEW DESIGNS: The latest images of what the Clifton Court development will look like.

Housing money is pumping into Panmure, Auckland with just one group in mind - Asian seniors.

The Chinese New Settlers Services Trust has received $5.3 million to build a four-storey apartment on Clifton Court, targeting low-income elderly Asian residents.

The trust offers social services largely to Chinese settlers but also to Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Malaysian and Cambodian immigrants.

Plans for the $10.5m project are awaiting council resource consent.

The trust is one of 34 registered community groups on track to receive millions of dollars from the Government to kick-start social housing projects in Auckland.

And it means great things for Panmure, business association manager Chris Sutton said.

Businesses have already set up shop in the suburb because of the organisation's presence, she believed.

"The trust is one of the best things that has happened to Panmure in years. They're movers and shakers.

"They do go for grand plans and I was so excited to hear about this one."

Current designs show the development will house 36 one-bedroom units on the top three levels, with a roof garden and green vine walls. The ground floor will be used for trust offices and parking.

It is walking distance from the public transport hub, medical care, shops, the library and community centre.

"This whole focus of getting more people into this area, this is where we're starting to see it happening."

The trust declined to comment, but its latest annual report states the idea is to help with housing difficulties for Asian seniors including affordability, transport issues, a lack of cultural and linguistic support and social barriers.

Auckland Chinese Community Centre chairman Kai Luey said it is the first time he is aware of housing being created specifically for the elderly Chinese community.

There is a real need for it, he said.

"They're basically helping Chinese settlers to settle into New Zealand life quicker.

"One of the factors is that the older Chinese have found it difficult to get housing.

"The older ones of course can't communicate that well with the locals. So they find it gives them more comfort if they're closer together, so they can have social interaction and activities," he said.

Tamaki Redevelopment Company spokeswoman Deanne Douglas said more people around the town centre will create a buzzing atmosphere.

"We support their plan to create more social housing, which can only benefit the community and create a more thriving town centre," she said.

"It's contributing to the vibrancy of the area."

Social Housing Unit director Michael Pead said the trust became a registered community housing provider in May 2013.

The organisation has an ongoing relationship with the trust to ensure timely completion of the funded apartments, he said.

An Auckland Council spokesperson said the trust's resource application was received in April.

A decision on the resource consent application is expected in December and will be non-notified.