An Authority has power to investigate living and housing conditions, housing needs and markets in its area of operation and the means and methods of improving conditions and meeting needs through private and public means; to determine where unsanitary or substandard housing conditions exist; to ascertain which dwellings in its area of operation do not meet such standards as it may determine are necessary for safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations and to report its findings to the appropriate government in the territory in which the dwellings are located; to study and make recommendations concerning the plan of the area of operation in relation to the problems of acquisition, clearing, replanning, and reconstruction of areas in which unsanitary or substandard conditions exist or which are needed for increasing the supply of decent, safe and sanitary and affordable dwellings and for related community development, and the providing of housing accommodations and subsidies for persons of low income, and to cooperate with any regional or State planning agencies or the planning agency of any city, village or incorporated town wholly or partly within its area of operation.