The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of Housing, may enter into a contract with nonprofit corporations, housing authorities or municipal developers, or with partnerships which include a nonprofit corporation, housing authority or municipal developer, to provide financial assistance in the form of grants-in-aid, loans or deferred loans for predevelopment costs incurred in connection with the construction, rehabilitation or renovation of housing for low and moderate income persons and families. Such predevelopment costs may include: (1) Feasibility studies, (2) appraisals, (3) legal fees, (4) financial consulting expenses, and (5) other planning expenses authorized by the commissioner. Any grant-in-aid awarded under this section shall not exceed five thousand dollars. In the case of a deferred loan, the contract shall require that payments on interest are due immediately but that payments on principal may be made at a later time.