(a) An authority shall constitute a body both corporate and politic, exercising public powers and having all the powers necessary or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter, including the following powers in addition to others granted in this chapter:

(1) To investigate into living and housing conditions in its area of operations and into the means and methods of improving such conditions; to determine where unsanitary or substandard housing conditions exist; to study and make recommendations concerning the plans of the area of operations in relation to the problems of clearing, replanning and reconstruction of areas in which unsanitary or substandard conditions exist, and the providing of housing accommodations for persons of low income, and to cooperate with any city, regional or state planning agency;

(2) To prepare, carry out and operate projects; to provide for the construction, reconstruction, improvement, alteration or repair of any project or any part thereof; to take over by purchase, lease, or otherwise any project undertaken by any government; to act as agent for the federal government in connection with the acquisition, construction, operation or management of a project or any part thereof; to arrange with any government within the area of operation for the furnishing, planning, replanning, opening or closing of streets, roads, roadways, alleys, parks or other places or public facilities or for the acquisition by any government or any agency, instrumentality or subdivision thereof, including, specifically, the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works and the Public Works Emergency Housing Corporation, of property, options or property rights or for the furnishing of property or services in connection with a project;

(3) To lease or rent any of the housing or other accommodations, or any of the lands, buildings, structures or facilities embraced in any project and to establish and revise the rents or charges therefor; to purchase, lease, obtain options upon, acquire by eminent domain or otherwise, sell, exchange, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property, real or personal or any interest therein from any person, firm, corporation or any municipal state, or federal government or any agency, instrumentality or subdivision thereof, including specifically, the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works and the Public Works Emergency Housing Corporation, by gift, grant, bequest or devise; to own, hold, clear and improve property; in its discretion to insure or provide for the insurance of the property or operations of the authority against such risks as the authority may deem advisable;

(4) To borrow money upon its bonds, notes, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness and to secure the same by mortgage upon property held or to be held by it or by pledge of its revenues, or in any other manner, and in connection with any loan by a government, to agree to limitations upon the exercise of any powers conferred upon the authority by this chapter; to invest any funds held in reserves or sinking funds, or in any funds not required for immediate disbursements in state or federal securities;

(5) To sue and be sued; to have a seal and to alter the same at pleasure; to have perpetual succession; to make and execute contracts and other instruments necessary or convenient to the exercise of the powers of the authority; to make and from time to time amend and repeal bylaws, rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter, and to carry into effect the powers and purposes of the authority;

(6) To enter upon any building or property in order to conduct investigations or to make surveys or soundings; to conduct examinations and investigations and to hear testimony and take proof under oath at public or private hearings on any matter material for its information; to issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or the production of books and papers and to issue commissions for the examination of witnesses who are out of the State or unable to attend before the authority, or excused from attendance; and to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the powers given in this chapter.

(b) Any of the investigations or examinations provided for in this chapter may be conducted by the authority or by a committee appointed by it, consisting of 1 or more commissioners, or by counsel, or by an officer or employee specially authorized by the authority to conduct it. Any commissioner, counsel for the authority, or any person designated by it to conduct an investigation or examination shall have power to administer oaths, take affidavits and issue subpoenas or commissions. Any authority may exercise any or all of the powers herein conferred upon it, either generally or with respect to any specific project or projects, through or by any agent or agents which it may designate.

39 Del. Laws, c. 16, § 8; Code 1935, § 5460; 31 Del. C. 1953, § 4307.