(a) The Commissioner of Housing and the Commissioner of Social Services shall establish a joint pilot program to provide for the development and operation of congregate housing and congregate housing projects, as defined in § 8-119e, in which, at a minimum, (1) residents pay no more than sixty per cent of their income to live and receive meals in such housing, (2) residents receive three meals per day, and (3) such housing contains a single kitchen facility and a central dining area. The commissioners may provide technical assistance and the Commissioner of Housing may provide financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid or loans for such development and operation under the program. Any grant-in-aid or loan shall be awarded in accordance with such terms and conditions as the Commissioner of Housing may prescribe. The pilot program shall provide such assistance for no more than two congregate housing projects located in different municipalities.

(b) The Commissioner of Housing, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of this section. The regulations shall establish the criteria for awarding grants-in-aid and loans authorized under this section, and the terms and conditions of such grants and loans.