A. The Department of Human Services, the Department of Mental Health, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency and any state agency with housing services may develop, administer, and conduct programs assisting eligible homeless families, homeless individuals, and mentally ill persons who are in need of housing to participate successfully in the private housing market and pay the amount of rent charged by the private sector for providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Provided, however, that any rent assistance available under such a program be combined with comprehensive case management and a self-sufficiency program.

B. All state agencies specified in this section and any other state agency with housing services, in accordance with state and federal law, may solicit government funds and grants and seek private resources, to operate programs pursuant to subsection A of this section.

C. As funds are available, all state agencies specified in this section and any other state agency with housing services, in accordance with state and federal law, may provide resources to local government agencies, local housing authorities or nonprofit agencies to operate programs established pursuant to subsection A of this section. The local agency or authority may require the person participating in such a program to participate in the cost of the program to the extent possible.