In the operation or management of housing projects, an authority shall at all times observe the following duties with respect to rentals and tenant admissions.

1. 1. Rent to persons of low income It shall rent or lease at least 20% of the dwelling units in any project only to persons or families of low income and at rentals within the financial reach of persons or families of low income.

   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

2. 2. Number of rooms It may rent or lease to a tenant dwelling accommodations consisting of the number of rooms, but no greater number, which it considers necessary to provide safe and sanitary accommodations to the proposed occupants of the rooms without overcrowding.

   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

3. 3. Preferences In the selection of tenants for housing projects, as among low-income families which are eligible applicants for occupancy in dwellings of given sizes and at specified rents, a housing authority shall extend the following preferences:

   1. A. First, to families which are to be displaced by any low-rent housing project or by any public slum-clearance or redevelopment project initiated after January 1, 1947, or which were so displaced within 3 years before applying to the public housing agency for admission to any low-rent housing. Among these families:

      1. (1) First preference shall be given to families of disabled veterans whose disabilities have been determined by the United States Veterans Administration to be service-connected;
      2. (2) Second preference shall be given to families of deceased veterans and servicemen whose deaths have been determined by the United States Veterans Administration to be service-connected;

      3. (3) Third preference shall be given to families of other veterans and servicemen;

         [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

   2. B. Second, to families of other veterans and servicemen. Among these families:

      1. (1) First preference shall be given to families of disabled veterans whose disabilities have been determined by the United States Veterans Administration to be service-connected; and

      2. (2) Second preference shall be given to families of deceased veterans and servicemen whose deaths have been determined by the United States Veterans Administration to be service-connected.

         [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

   3. C. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. Notwithstanding any provisions of this section, an authority may agree to conditions as to tenant eligibility or preference required by the Federal Government under federal law in any contract for financial assistance with the authority. Nothing in this section or section 4742 may be construed as limiting the power of an authority to vest in an obligee the right, in the event of a default by the authority, to take possession of a project or cause the appointment of a receiver of the project, free from all the restrictions imposed by this section or section 4742.

      1. (1) The term "veteran" means a person who has served in the active military or naval service of the United States at any time on or after April 6, 1917 and before November 11, 1918, or at any time on or after September 16, 1940 and before July 26, 1947, or at any time on or after June 27, 1950 and before February 1, 1955, or at any time on or after August 5, 1964 and before May 7, 1975, or at any time on or after August 7, 1990 and before April 11, 1991, and who has been discharged or released from the service under conditions other than dishonorable.
      2. (2) The term "serviceman" means a person in the active military or naval service of the United States who has served in that service on or after April 6, 1917 and before November 11, 1918, or at any time on or after September 16, 1940 and before July 26, 1947, or at any time on or after June 27, 1950 and before February 1, 1955, or at any time on or after August 5, 1964 and before May 7, 1975, or at any time on or after August 7, 1990 and before April 11, 1991.

      Notwithstanding any provisions of this section, an authority may agree to conditions as to tenant eligibility or preference required by the Federal Government under federal law in any contract for financial assistance with the authority.

      Nothing in this section or section 4742 may be construed as limiting the power of an authority to vest in an obligee the right, in the event of a default by the authority, to take possession of a project or cause the appointment of a receiver of the project, free from all the restrictions imposed by this section or section 4742.

      [PL 1993, c. 427, §4 (AMD).]

   [PL 1993, c. 427, §4 (AMD).]

PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§C8,10 (AMD). PL 1993, c. 427, §4 (AMD).