(a)
The department shall provide housing rental-related subsidies for the purposes of disaster relief to persons rendered homeless or at risk of becoming homeless due to unemployment, underemployment, or other economic hardship resulting from the state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor on January 17, 2014. The housing rental-related subsidies shall provide rental assistance to individuals who are unemployed or underemployed because agricultural or other businesses are affected by the drought conditions and to other persons that have suffered economic losses due to the drought conditions.
(b)
The department may administer the housing rental-related subsidies or contract with qualified local
government agencies or nonprofit organizations to administer the subsidies.
(c)
The department shall adopt guidelines establishing criteria for the subsidies, including, but not limited to, eligibility, income limits, and subsidy amounts.