(b) Said commissioner shall establish a program of rehabilitation and major repair, including any repair, replacement or installation as may be necessary for energy conservation, of (1) existing rental housing projects developed with state financial assistance, pursuant to this chapter or chapter 129, to restore such projects to a sound, habitable and energy-efficient condition, (2) housing developed with state financial assistance pursuant to chapter 138b, (3) projects developed with state financial assistance pursuant to section 8-214f, and (4) projects developed with state financial assistance pursuant to section 8-218. Each housing authority, nonprofit corporation, community housing development corporation, municipal developer or other eligible developer, shall prepare and submit to said commissioner a request for any necessary construction, rehabilitation and major repair with respect to each such housing project within the jurisdiction of such authority, nonprofit corporation, community housing development corporation, municipal developer or other eligible developer, including the construction or rehabilitation of facilities adjacent to such project which are functionally related to and serve the needs of such project. Each such request shall include a detailed description and the estimated cost of such construction, rehabilitation or major repair. After approval by said commissioner of such construction, rehabilitation or major repair as requested, or any part thereof, the state, acting by and in the discretion of said commissioner, may enter into a contract with such authority, nonprofit corporation, community housing development corporation, municipal developer or other eligible developer, providing for state financial assistance in the form of a grant-in-aid,