17-2339. Definitions. The following terms, wherever used or referred to in this act, shall have the following respective meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

(a) "Housing authority" or "authority" shall mean any agency of a municipality created pursuant to this act.

(b) "State public body" shall mean any city, county, township, municipal corporation, commission, district authority, or other subdivision or public body of the state.

(c) "Governing body" shall mean the council, board of commissioners, or other body of the municipality in which is vested legislative authority customarily imposed on the council or board of commissioners.

(d) "Mayor" shall mean the mayor of the city or the officer thereof charged with the duties customarily imposed on the mayor of the city or the officer thereof charged with the duties customarily imposed on the mayor or executive head of a city.

(e) "Clerk" shall mean the clerk of the city or county or the officer charged with the duties customarily imposed on such clerk.

(f) "Area of operation" shall include such municipality and the area within five (5) miles of the territorial city boundaries thereof: Provided, Such area shall not include any area which lies within the territorial boundaries of another city as herein defined without the consent of the other city nor any area in another county.

(g) "Federal government" shall include the United States of America, the public housing administration, or any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise of the United States of America.

(h) "Slum" means any area where dwellings predominate which by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any combination of these factors are detrimental to safety, health and morals.

(i) "Housing project" or "project" shall mean any work or undertaking to provide decent, safe and sanitary urban or rural dwellings, apartments, or other living accommodations for persons of low income. Such work or undertaking may include buildings, land, equipment, facilities, and other real or personal property for necessary, convenient or desirable appurtenances, streets, sewers, water service, utilities, parks, site preparation, landscaping, administrative, community, health, recreational, welfare, or other purposes. The term "housing project" or "project" also may be applied to the planning of the buildings and improvements, the acquisition of property, the demolition of existing structures, the construction, reconstruction, alteration or repair of the improvements and all other work in connection therewith, and the term shall include all other real and personal property and all tangible or intangible assets held or used in connection with the housing project.

(j) "Persons of low income" shall mean persons or families who lack the amount of income which is necessary (as determined by the city or county undertaking a project) to enable them without financial assistance, to live in decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings, without overcrowding.

(k) "Elderly person" shall mean a single person or a family, the head of which (or his spouse) has attained retirement age as defined in section 216 (a) of the federal social security act or who is under a disability as defined in section 223 of said act.

(l) "Bonds" shall mean any bonds, notes, interim certificates, debentures, or other obligations issued by a municipality or an authority pursuant to this act.

(m) "Real property" shall include all lands, including improvements and fixtures thereon, and property of any nature appurtenant thereto, or used in connection therewith, and every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, therein, including terms for years.

(n) "Obligee" shall include any bondholder, agent or trustee for any bondholder, or lessor demising to a municipality property used in connection with a project, or any assignee or assignees of such lessor's interest or any part thereof, and the federal government when it is a party to any contract with the municipality in respect to a housing project.

(o) "Municipality" shall mean any city or county.

History: L. 1957, ch. 132, § 3; L. 1961, ch. 121, § 2; L. 1965, ch. 154, § 1; L. 1971, ch. 79, § 2; L. 1973, ch. 96, § 1; July 1.