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(3) perform all executive or administrative duties necessary and advisable to carry out the purpose of this chapter, including the power to make contracts and to make disbursements on vouchers against appropriations for the purpose of this chapter, within the limit of appropriations available; (4) study the needs of pioneers and veterans of this state who reside in the homes operated under this chapter and submit recommendations for new regulations and proposed legislation. (d) The department may employ the necessary subordinate officers and employees, and shall prescribe methods for operation of the homes, standards of care and service to home residents, and rules governing personnel. The methods for operation and standards of care and services to residents prescribed under this subsection shall be the same as the methods for operation and standards of care established by the department for an assisted living home licensed under AS 47.32. (e) The department may engage in activities directed to increase revenue from a home. These activities may include the use of excess bed or floor space, up to 50 percent of the total floor space in a home, or lease of space or buildings that are not in use or are underutilized. (f) The department shall conduct, at least annually, an unannounced inspection of each site of the Alaska Pioneers' Home and the Alaska Veterans' Home to determine compliance of the facilities with all applicable laws and regulations. Sec. 47.55.020. Admission to home; payments; assistance. (a) Every person residing in the state who is 60 years of age or older, has been a resident of the state continuously for more than one year immediately preceding application for admission, and is in need of residence at a home because of physical disability or other reason, is eligible for admission to the Alaska Pioneers' Home or the Alaska Veterans' Home under conditions prescribed in regulations. The spouse of a person who is eligible for admission under other provisions of this subsection is also eligible for admission to a home under conditions prescribed by the department if the spouse is 60 years of age or older and has been a resident of the state continuously for more than one year immediately preceding application for admission. (b) Every person admitted to a home who receives income from any source in excess of $300 a month shall be required by the department to pay the excess to the department immediately upon receipt of the money in payment, or part payment, of the cost of the person's care. However, the department may not require in any month the payment of an amount greater than the monthly or daily rates set under AS 47.55.030(f) plus charges under AS 47.55.030(b) except to satisfy indebtedness incurred under AS 47.55.070. The department may not evict a person from a home if the income and assets of the person are insufficient to pay the monthly or daily rates set under AS 47.55.030(f) plus charges under AS 47.55.030(b) and the person is otherwise in compliance with requirements under this chapter. (c) At the end of each month, the payments made under (b) of this section shall be transmitted to the commissioner of revenue. The department shall pay the sum of $200 a month to a resident who is without income or resources. (d) Notwithstanding AS 47.55.070 and (b) of this section, a resident of a home whose income, assets, and other resources are insufficient to pay the monthly or daily rates set under AS 47.55.030(f) plus charges under AS 47.55.030(b), and who does not have private insurance to cover the cost of care, qualifies for payment assistance if the resident is otherwise in compliance