More than 530 new homes are to be built across Norfolk, but council leaders are having to spend £35m more than originally planned to provide them.
Norfolk County Council's Conservative-run cabinet has agreed to pump the money into the creation of new homes for people who need adult social care but are still able to live independently.
The council launched its Independent Living capital housing programme in 2018 to help get affordable, specialist housing built for older people.
The target was to build 1,135 with a £29m budget. But that budget is now exhausted, with 532 homes yet to to be constructed.
Council leaders blamed the need to add extra money on rising costs and delays triggered by the nutrient neutrality situation - a government directive which prevented construction of new homes until mitigation for their impact on the county's waterways could be provided.
More than 600 homes have been funded and some schemes are complete, such as at Meadow Walk in Fakenham and Swallowtail Place in Acle, while others, such as Lavender View in Hunstanton, are due to open soon.
The schemes see the council join forces with housing trusts, with the authority having nomination rights to place people with adult social care needs in the houses.
At Monday's cabinet meeting, councillors agreed to add a further £35m into the scheme.
The council will need to borrow the money - and pay interest - but Alison Thomas, cabinet member for adult social care, said it would save money in the long-run, cutting reliance on costly residential care.
Mrs Thomas said: "It's a cheaper option than residential care and it allows people to retain their independence for longer.
"There's strong evidence to show this sort of provision reduces the risk of falls, decreases attendance at the GP and enhances people's well-being."
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