Section 45-C. Direct application by eligible applicants

Upon receipt of a
  copy  of  the  request  for  proposals  issued   pursuant   to   section
  forty-five-a  of  this title, an eligible applicant may notify the local
  social services district in which its eligible project is located of its
  desire to participate in the  single  room  occupancy  support  services
  program.  In  the event that the local social services district does not
  submit a proposal pursuant to section forty-five-a of this  title,  such
  eligible  applicant that has notified the local social services district
  of its desire to participate may submit an application directly  to  the
  commissioner  for  financial assistance under this title. Criteria to be
  used by the commissioner in awarding funding directly to  such  eligible
  applicants  shall include but not be limited to the anticipated need for
  single room occupancy units  within  the  district  where  the  eligible
  project  is located, and the appropriateness of the support services for
  the population to be served. Before directly  awarding  any  funding  to
  eligible  applicants,  the  commissioner  shall  consult  with the local
  social services district where the eligible project is located regarding
  the need for single room  occupancy  units  within  such  district,  the
  ability  of  the  eligible  project  to  provide  single  room occupancy
  services and any  other  factors  which  are  necessary  to  effectively
  evaluate direct application by eligible projects. When such applications
  are  approved,  the  commissioner, within the amounts appropriated under
  this title, and subject to the limitations set forth in this section and
  section  forty-five-d  of  this  title,  is  authorized  to  enter  into
  contracts  with  eligible applicants, to provide financial assistance in
  the form of grants for eligible costs.