§ 374-f. Authority to enter into leases for dwelling units. Any inconsistent provisions of this chapter or any other law notwithstanding, a public welfare official authorized to operate agency boarding homes or group homes is hereby empowered to rent or lease dwelling units in his capacity as a public welfare official, as lessee, in any federal project, state project or municipal project, as defined in the public housing law, or in any municipally-aided project or state-aided project, or other project, as defined in the private housing finance law, or elsewhere, for the purpose of operating therein such agency boarding homes or group homes, and is hereby empowered to contract, in his capacity as a public welfare official, as contractor, with individuals for their services in conducting such homes and caring for children or minors placed in such homes.