(d) Without limiting the power of the commissioner to select such projects as will best carry out the purposes of the applicable statutes, contract awards shall, in general, be based on the following criteria:

1. (1) the extent to which housing for the homeless is needed in a community;
2. (2) the degree of community support for and participation in the proposed projects;
3. (3) the experience of the applicant in developing or managing housing, providing supportive services, and dealing with the specified target population of homeless persons;
4. (4) the feasibility of early implementation of the project, as evidenced by site control of the proposed project location, provision of details of the renovation plan, cost projections, sources of figures and a timetable for completion, including, at the department's discretion, architectural drawings and specifications where appropriate;
5. (5) the reasonableness of the project cost with preference given to projects that minimize acquisition costs and maximize the number of units produced per State dollar expended;
6. (6) the financial feasibility of operating, over the seven-year period specified in the contract, without additional State subsidies;
7. (7) the appropriateness of plans for tenant selection to serve a mixed or specifically identified population, consistent with the intent of the homeless housing program and the interest and need of the community; such population(s) may include, but is (are) not limited to: families, youth, singles, elderly persons, abused persons, substance abusers, alcoholics/alcohol abusers and the mentally disabled who are homeless;
8. (8) clustered sites or multiple sites in close proximity may be considered as one project;
9. (9) proposals which seek funds for opening or expanding emergency or transitional shelters shall be considered provided that there be reasonable expectation of placement in decent, affordable long-term housing at the end of the shelter stay; and that such placement be a service of the shelter; and
10. (10) evidence, when hiring contractors, of employing neighborhood residents who are unemployed or not fully employed; and evidence that the applicant promotes both affirmative action in employment and use of minority contractors.

(e) In addition to the above criteria, and without limiting the power of the commissioner to select such projects as will best carry out the purposes of the applicable statutes, preference will be given to:

1. (1) projects that increase the number of permanent housing units for the homeless through construction of innovative use and rehabilitation of existing structures that will not cause displacement of present tenants;
2. (2) projects that propose innovative and cost-effective support service components which are appropriate to the needs of the population to be served;
3. (3) projects that enhance the use of the Homeless Housing and Assistance Fund by providing for nonhousing services wherever appropriate from other funding sources or through linkages with existing community providers;
4. (4) applicants who are working with local municipalities which will provide additional financial or in-kind services;
5. (5) projects that made use of publicly owned property which is currently available for disposition and can be transferred or leased for a minimal amount; and
6. (6) projects that involve other sources of funds (municipal, Federal or any other source other than the State), in-kind contributions made by such sources, or involve projects receiving State financial assistance pursuant to chapters 339 and 549 of the Laws of 1982, in order to maximize the effect of State financial assistance.