Every application for a grant shall be accompanied by a statement of the uses to which a grant is to be applied, a description of the housing conditions in the area of operation of the applicant, and a plan for development or redevelopment or other use to be undertaken by the applicant. Subject to the provisions of Section 3a the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall review all applications for grants and if satisfied that a need therefor exists in relation to the uses to which it is to be applied and upon approval of the plan submitted with the application, the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Community Affairs shall transmit to the State Comptroller a statement of approval and of the amount of the grant. Upon receipt of such statement by the Comptroller, the approved grant shall be paid to the applicant from any appropriation designated for the making of grants under this Act.