(a) It is the purpose of this chapter that DSHA have the authority and capacity to:

(1) Efficiently provide, and to assist others to provide, quality affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to responsible low- and moderate-income Delawareans;

(2) Encourage persons and families benefiting from activities authorized in this chapter, to the maximum extent feasible, to become economically self-sufficient by assisting in the delivery of social, educational and other supportive services and programs which develop self-sufficiency and by facilitating economic and employment opportunities and similar benefits for persons assisted under this chapter;

(3) Coordinate the housing and redevelopment activities of state agencies and other public agencies and private bodies with such responsibilities within the State;

(4) Provide assistance in the rehabilitation of distressed or substandard housing in an effort to preserve current housing stock and strengthen communities;

(5) Serve as a resource where the housing and construction industries, local governments and the public may obtain information on affordable housing and community development programs, data and trends, including coordinating and promoting assistance to nonprofit housing sponsors who develop affordable housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income;

(6) Assist the Office of State Planning and other state, local and regional planning authorities in the preparation and implementation of comprehensive plans and programs for rural and urban housing and improvement of housing within the State, especially regarding the planning and development of affordable housing;

(7) Confront adverse social conditions and to lessen the effects of drug and crime problems for residents of DSHA housing for low- and moderate-income persons and families by establishing and implementing policies and taking practical steps to mitigate such conditions and eliminate drug and crime problems;

(8) Carry out and enforce the State Housing Code;

(9) Advise and inform the Governor and the public on the affairs and problems relating to housing and community development and revitalization, and make recommendations to the Governor for proposed legislation pertaining thereto;

(10) Administer such provisions of the Downtown Development District Act as set forth in Chapter 19 of Title 22; and

(11) Operate DSHA’s financial affairs in a prudent and sound manner.

(b) This section shall be construed according to the fair import of its terms and shall be liberally construed to further the general purposes stated in this section and the special purposes of the particular provisions involved.

71 Del. Laws, c. 357, § 6; 79 Del. Laws, c. 240, § 7.