More than 1,000 individuals and families on the county's housing needs list will benefit from the programme to build nearly 300 homes - many of them in the countryside.
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) said it was working with local authorities and housing providers to help deliver new homes across the county.
All bids were assessed for quality, strategic fit, value for money and deliverability.
It will see homes built in the Broadland (104 homes), Kings Lynn and West Norfolk (69 homes), North Norfolk (19 homes), South Norfolk (83 homes) and Norwich (19 homes)
Some £1.4m of the pot has been allocated to Freebridge Community Housing, the largest provider of affordable homes in West Norfolk.
Freebridge is also contributing around 50% of the costs to these schemes and will start work on 32 new homes in King's Lynn and Walpole St Andrew.
These 2-5 bedroom homes will be built to Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3.
HCA area manager Mike Goulding said: "We are in uncertain times with a recovering economy and housebuilding industry, and limited government funding.
"However, we will continue to support partners the best we can to bring together local investment, and maximise impact and value for money, ultimately delivering more homes.
"It's important that we secure the best possible value for public funds, more so now that ever before."
Projects are being enabled across the county of Norfolk and are being funded from the National Affordable Housing Programme (NAHP), which the HCA manages.
Freebridge chief executive Tony Hall said there was a real need for more affordable, sustainable, accommodation in West Norfolk.
"With this grant from the HCA, we will be able to provide new homes which will help to meet this need.
"It means that we can build new homes in communities where there is a lack of affordable housing provision."