(1) study housing conditions and needs throughout the State to determine in what areas congested and unsanitary housing conditions constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals, welfare and reasonable comfort of the citizens of the State;

(2) prepare programs for correcting such conditions;

(3) collect and distribute information relating to housing;

(4) investigate all matters affecting the cost of construction or production of dwellings;

(5) study means of lowering rents of dwellings by securing economy in the construction and arrangement of buildings;

(6) recommend and approve the areas within which or adjacent to which the construction of housing projects by limited dividend housing companies may be undertaken; and

(7) cooperate with local housing officials and planning commissions or similar bodies in cities and other localities in the development of projects they at any time may have under consideration.