In this title the following words have the meanings indicated. “Board of County Commissioners” means the Board of County Commissioners of Washington County. “Housing project” means a work or undertaking that is planned, acquired, owned, used, developed, constructed, reconstructed, rehabilitated, or improved to provide: housing of which a substantial part shall be for persons of eligible income; and streets, roads, sewers, water service, and other supporting public or private commercial, educational, cultural, recreational, community, or civic facilities that are needed for sound community development. “Housing project” includes lands, buildings, improvements, and other real or personal property. “Person of eligible income” means an individual or family who the Washington Authority determines lacks sufficient income or assets without financial assistance to live in decent, safe, and sanitary housing without overcrowding. “Washington Authority” means the Housing Authority of Washington County.

The General Assembly finds that: there are in the area of operation of the Washington Authority unsafe and unsanitary housing and a shortage of safe and sanitary housing for persons of eligible income; these conditions cause too much public money to be spent for crime prevention and punishment, public health and safety, fire and accident protection, and other public services and facilities; the public interest requires the remedying of these conditions; the assistance provided under this title to remedy these conditions is a public use and purpose and an essential governmental function for which public money may be spent; and this title is necessary in the public interest.

Title 12 of this article applies to the Washington Authority except where it is inconsistent with this title.

The Housing Authority of Washington County is a public body corporate and politic that: exercises public and essential governmental functions; and has all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this Division II.

This section does not apply if its application would disqualify the State or a county from receiving federal money. The Board of County Commissioners shall: adopt policies, regulations, or amendments that are necessary to implement: federally or State assisted housing programs; and locally funded housing programs undertaken in accordance with this Division II; review and approve each housing project that the Washington Authority proposes before the housing project may be started; and establish maximum income limits for persons of eligible income. For special housing projects, the Board of County Commissioners may establish exceptions to the maximum income limits for persons of eligible income.

Subject to the power of the Board of County Commissioners under § 21-105 of this title, the Washington Authority, in addition to the powers listed in this Division II and provided by local law, may: make mortgage loans; make rent subsidy payments to or for persons of eligible income; make construction loans and long-term mortgage loans to a person to produce housing for persons of eligible income; or waive maximum income limits for persons 65 years of age or older. The Washington Authority may sell its bonds at public or private sale in the manner and on the terms that it authorizes by resolution.