(b) The division will select projects for funding from among eligible applicants based upon its evaluation of the proposed project in the light of the purposes and policy of article XVII-A. In making such selection, the division may rely upon the preapplication and other documents submitted by the applicant to, and information made available by FmHA; the division may also, to the extent it deems appropriate, obtain additional information from the applicant or any other source. Without limiting the power of the commissioner under this section, funding shall be awarded, in general, based upon the following criteria:

1. (1) a balanced distribution of program funds in respect to the need for adequate housing of low income households in rural areas of New York State;
2. (2) the existence of a substantial low-income population in the area, relative to its total population;
3. (3) the scarcity of safe, affordable rental housing for persons of low income in the area;
4. (4) the existence of substantial unmet housing needs on the part of the elderly, larger families, or any other special population group in the area, and the potential role of the project in meeting such needs;
5. (5) the degree of community involvement in the proposed project, including but not limited to the participation in sponsorship by corporations funded under article XVII of the Private Housing Finance Law or other community-based not-for-profit organizations;
6. (6) the feasibility of the project for early implementation;
7. (7) the degree to which rental assistance is needed to make the project available to low-income tenants;
8. (8) the cost of the subsidy relative to available cost containment measures, including but not limited to project design features and local real property tax abatement;
9. (9) the degree to which development of the project may generate additional funding or other support for low-income housing or related programs in rural areas.