Auckland Council could partially privatise the operation of some of its pensioner flats.

The council has selected the Selwyn Foundation, a non-profit Christian retirement village operator, for a proposed partnership and will seek public feedback on the proposal next year.

Selwyn Foundation chief executive Garry Smith says the organisation has been providing services to vulnerable elderly people since 1954.

He says they're trying combat the issues facing older people, like lack of social housing, loneliness and general hardship.

Deputy mayor Penny Hulse says the council faces a limited budget, an aging population and a housing stock that desperately needs upgrading.

She says it needs a partner organisation to help it secure long-term pensioner housing.

The proposed partnership would be to manage and maintain council-owned pensioner flats.