PURPOSES.

The purposes of the department are to:

(1) assist local governments in:

(A) providing essential public services for their residents; and

(B) overcoming financial, social, and environmental problems;

(2) provide for the housing needs of individuals and families of low, very low, and extremely low income and families of moderate income;

(3) contribute to the preservation, development, and redevelopment of neighborhoods and communities, including cooperation in the preservation of government-assisted housing occupied by individuals and families of very low and extremely low income;

(4) assist the governor and the legislature in coordinating federal and state programs affecting local government;

(5) inform state officials and the public of the needs of local government;

(6) serve as the lead agency for:

(A) addressing at the state level the problem of homelessness in this state;

(B) coordinating interagency efforts to address homelessness; and

(C) addressing at the state level and coordinating interagency efforts to address any problem associated with homelessness, including hunger; and

(7) serve as a source of information to the public regarding all affordable housing resources and community support services in the state.