The General Assembly finds that: the flow of private investment capital into businesses and adequate housing can be stimulated by a system insuring qualified lending institutions against losses resulting from nonpayment of money owed under the terms of a note, bond, or other evidence of indebtedness; and the insurance can help State and local activity to finance businesses, housing, and rehabilitation. The General Assembly also finds that adequate housing can and should be provided by private capital under our free enterprise system and in accordance with sound investment practices. The General Assembly finds as a subject of concern that: many residents of the State are living in substandard housing; and there is a shortage of housing at reasonable costs for various income levels. The General Assembly finds that it is in the public interest to promote energy conservation projects and solar energy projects by providing insurance for: loans made by qualified lending institutions; and bonds or notes issued to finance the projects. The General Assembly finds that the sale of pooled mortgages or securities backed by mortgages to private or public investors, including public and private pension funds, is in the public interest and could increase the investment capital available to make mortgage loans to: acquire, construct, and rehabilitate housing; and acquire, operate, construct, and rehabilitate businesses. In this subsection, “distressed area” has the meaning stated in § 4–201 of this article. The General Assembly finds that it is in the public interest to encourage the financing of, and otherwise to support, the planning, acquisition, development, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, repair, renovation, and other improvement of: public purpose projects in distressed areas in the State; and infrastructure projects. The General Assembly finds that the flow of public and private capital to support the activities specified in this section will be encouraged and expanded by: insuring: loans made by qualified lending institutions; bonds or notes issued by qualified issuers; and obligations backed by mortgages; and providing other credit enhancements.