§ 45-a. Single room occupancy support services program. There is hereby established under the administration of the commissioner a single room occupancy support services program, to provide financial assistance, subject to limitations stated in appropriations therefor, in the form of grants, to eligible applicants for eligible costs of services to assist eligible residents of single room occupancy units to live independently. The commissioner, subject to the approval of the director of the budget and within amounts appropriated therefor, shall request proposals from local social services districts for funds to support grants made pursuant to this title. Copies of such requests for proposals shall be simultaneously distributed to eligible applicants known to the commissioner and the availability of such proposals shall be publicized by the department. Local social services districts will be chosen competitively based upon such proposals for funding. Criteria to be used by the commissioner in awarding funding among local social services districts shall include but not be limited to the anticipated need for single room occupancy units within each district; the ability of the local social services district to properly supervise the single room occupancy support services program; and the appropriateness of the support services for the population to be served.