The agency shall have all of the following powers:

(a) To sue and be sued in its own name.

(b) To have an official seal and to alter the same at pleasure.

(c) To have perpetual succession.

(d) To maintain offices at any place or places within the state which it may designate.

(e) To adopt, and from time to time amend and repeal, by action of the board, either resolutions, or rules or regulations, not inconsistent with this part, to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the agency and the conduct of its business, except where this part expressly requires the agency to act by rule or regulation. If the agency acts by rule or regulation, the rule or regulation shall be adopted, amended, repealed, and published in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code.

(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, to make and execute contracts and all other instruments necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions under this part with any governmental agency, private corporation or other entity, or individual, and to contract with any local public entity for processing of any aspect of financing housing developments. Contracts made or executed under the authority of this part shall not be subject to any applicable provision of law requiring competitive bidding or the supervision or approval of another division or officer of state government.

(g) To acquire real or personal property, or any interest therein, on either a temporary or long-term basis in its own name by gift, purchase, transfer, foreclosure, a deed in lieu of foreclosure, lease, option, or otherwise, including easements or other incorporeal rights in property.

(h) To hold, sell, assign, lease, encumber, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of any real or personal property or any interest therein; to hold, sell, assign, or otherwise dispose of any mortgage interest owned by it, under its control or custody, or in its possession; and, as applicable, to do any of the acts specified in this subdivision by public or private sale, with or without public bidding, notwithstanding any other provision of law.

(i) To release or relinquish any right, title, claim, lien, interest, easement, or demand however acquired, including any equity or right of redemption in real property foreclosed by it or acquired by it by a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

(j) To determine the terms and conditions of any mortgage instrument, deed of trust, or promissory note used or executed in conjunction with the financing of any housing development.

(k) To employ architects, engineers, attorneys, accountants, housing construction and financial experts, and such other advisers, consultants, and agents as may be necessary in its judgment and to fix their compensation.

(l) To provide advice, technical information, and consultative and technical service in connection with the financing of housing developments pursuant to this part.

(m) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, to insure or reinsure against any loss in connection with its property and other assets, including mortgages and mortgage loans, in amounts, in the manner, and from those insurers as it deems desirable.

(n) To establish, revise from time to time, and charge and collect fees and charges in connection with loans made or insured by the agency.

(o) To borrow money and issue bonds, as provided in this part.

(p) To enter agreements and perform acts as are necessary to obtain and maintain federal housing subsidies for use in connection with housing developments.

(q) To provide bilingual staff and make available agency publications in a language, other than English, where necessary to effectively serve all groups for which those services or publications are made available.

(r) To require any individual, corporation, or other legal entity operating, managing, or providing maintenance services for a housing development or a residential structure to maintain a current certificate of qualification developed and approved by the agency.

(s) To do any and all things necessary to carry out its purposes and exercise the powers expressly granted by this part.

(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 281, Sec. 2. Effective September 25, 2008.)