Any state public body shall have the same rights and powers to cooperate with housing authorities, or with the federal government, with respect to the development or administration of projects to assure the availability of safe and sanitary dwellings for persons engaged in national defense activities or to provide housing for servicemen and returning veterans and their families that such state public body has pursuant to this chapter for the purpose of assisting the development or administration of slum clearance or housing projects for persons of low income.