§ 45-c. Direct application by eligible applicants. Upon receipt of a
copy of the request for proposals issued pursuant to section
forty-five-a of this title, an eligible applicant may notify the local
social services district in which its eligible project is located of its
desire to participate in the single room occupancy support services
program. In the event that the local social services district does not
submit a proposal pursuant to section forty-five-a of this title, such
eligible applicant that has notified the local social services district
of its desire to participate may submit an application directly to the
commissioner for financial assistance under this title. Criteria to be
used by the commissioner in awarding funding directly to such eligible
applicants shall include but not be limited to the anticipated need for
single room occupancy units within the district where the eligible
project is located, and the appropriateness of the support services for
the population to be served. Before directly awarding any funding to
eligible applicants, the commissioner shall consult with the local
social services district where the eligible project is located regarding
the need for single room occupancy units within such district, the
ability of the eligible project to provide single room occupancy
services and any other factors which are necessary to effectively
evaluate direct application by eligible projects. When such applications
are approved, the commissioner, within the amounts appropriated under
this title, and subject to the limitations set forth in this section and
section forty-five-d of this title, is authorized to enter into
contracts with eligible applicants, to provide financial assistance in
the form of grants for eligible costs.