Housing needs.

The department of development shall: (A) Provide technical assistance to sponsors, homeowners, private developers, contractors, and other appropriate persons on matters relating to housing needs and the development, construction, financing, operation, management, and evaluation of housing developments; (B) Carry out continuing studies and analyses of the housing needs of this state and, after conducting public hearings, prepare annually a plan of housing needs, primarily for the use of the department. The plan, copies of which shall be filed with the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate for distribution to the members of the general assembly, shall: (1) Establish areawide housing needs, including existing and projected needs for the provision of an adequate supply of decent, safe, and sanitary housing for low- and moderate-income persons, including housing that may require utilization of state or federal assistance; (2) Establish priorities for housing needs, taking into account the availability of and need for conserving land and other natural resources; (3) Be coordinated with other housing and related planning of the state and of regional planning agencies. (C) Carry out the provisions of Chapter 3735. of the Revised Code relating to metropolitan housing authorities; (D) Carry out the provisions of sections 174.01 to 174.07 of the Revised Code relating to the low- and moderate-income housing trust fund.