The agency may make or undertake commitments to make development loans, construction loans, mortgage loans, and property improvement loans to housing sponsors to finance housing developments, as provided in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 51100) of this part.

The agency may, in conjunction with a construction loan, set aside a reserve to provide improvement security required under subdivision (c) of Section 66462 and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 66499) of Division 2 of Title 7 of the Government Code, which shall be in lieu of improvement security otherwise required by such provisions.