The department shall provide technical assistance and information to state agencies and local governments to assist in the identification and removal of regulatory barriers to the development and placement of affordable housing. In providing assistance the department may:

(1) Analyze the costs and benefits of state legislation, rules, and administrative actions and their impact on the development and placement of affordable housing;

(2) Analyze the costs and benefits of local legislation, rules, and administrative actions and their impact on the development and placement of affordable housing;

(3) Assist state agencies and local governments in determining the impact of existing and anticipated actions, legislation, and rules on the development and placement of affordable housing;

(4) Investigate techniques and opportunities for reducing the life-cycle housing costs through regulatory reform;

(5) Develop model standards and ordinances designed to reduce regulatory barriers to affordable housing and assisting in their adoption and use at the state and local government level;

(6) Provide technical assistance and information to state agencies and local governments for implementation of legislative and administrative reform programs to remove barriers to affordable housing;

(7) Prepare state regulatory barrier removal strategies;

(8) Provide staffing to the affordable housing advisory board created in RCW 43.185B.020; and

(9) Perform other activities as the director deems necessary to assist the state, local governments, and the housing industry in meeting the affordable housing needs of the state.