§4–914.

    (a)    If the Department certifies a political subdivision or nonprofit sponsor as capable of administering a local rehabilitation program, the political subdivision or nonprofit sponsor may originate and administer Program loans under regulations of the Department.

    (b)    (1)    By regulation, the Department shall establish standards for determining the capability of a political subdivision or nonprofit sponsor to administer a local rehabilitation program.

        (2)    The standards shall include provisions on:

            (i)    the size, training, and experience of the professional staff that would administer the Program; and

            (ii)    the capability of the professional staff to:

                1.    determine rehabilitation needs;

                2.    establish rehabilitation programs;

                3.    evaluate applications for Program loans; and

                4.    monitor Program loans and the rehabilitation work done with them.

    (c)    If the Department determines that a political subdivision or nonprofit sponsor cannot or does not want to administer a local rehabilitation program, the Department may originate and administer Program loans from the allocation or suballocation to that political subdivision.

    (d)    The Department may:

        (1)    help train employees of political subdivisions and nonprofit sponsors to administer local rehabilitation programs under the standards that the Department sets; and

        (2)    provide political subdivisions and nonprofit sponsors advice and technical assistance on the administration of their local rehabilitation programs, including loan packaging, contractor and bid selection, zoning, marketing, engineering, and related services.