AUGUSTA — The Maine State Housing Authority said 184 new affordable-rental apartments will be built in six Maine cities.

The authority approved allocation of nearly $30 million in federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits to finance construction of the privately owned apartments. The tax credits are used to attract private investors.

Maine Housing Director Dale McCormick said that will provide badly needed, affordable rental housing while giving Maine’s economy a boost. McCormick said the new housing will generate several hundred construction jobs.

The housing developments slated for funding include 29 units for seniors in Ellsworth, 24 units for seniors in Biddeford, 48 units for families in Lewiston, 34 units for families in Berwick, 25 units for seniors in Freeport and 24 units for families in Portland.