(a) The Connecticut Housing Authority shall, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39, constitute a successor to the functions, powers and duties of the Commissioner of Housing relating to the exercise by the Commissioner of Housing of the powers of a housing authority pursuant to chapter 128 and this chapter.

(b) The Connecticut Housing Authority shall have the same rights, powers, duties, privileges, immunities and limitations as local housing authorities established pursuant to chapter 128, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, notwithstanding any other provisions of the general statutes.

(c) Without limiting any other powers of the Connecticut Housing Authority, the authority shall have power: (1) To sell or lease, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, and provide for the management of any of the state’s housing projects upon terms and conditions which the authority deems appropriate, provided preference in the sale of a one-family or two-family dwelling unit in any such housing project, or any part thereof, or of shares in a cooperative or condominium association purchasing a project or part of a project, shall be given to buyers in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of § 8-76; and provided further that the sale of one or more multifamily dwelling units in any such housing project, or any part thereof, shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a) of § 8-76. The proceeds of the sale of any such project, or part thereof, the cost of which was financed by notes or bonds issued or guaranteed by the state, or of any agency thereof, after payment of all necessary expenses incident to such sale, shall be applied so far as practicable to the redemption of all such outstanding notes or bonds. If such proceeds are more than sufficient to redeem all such outstanding notes and bonds, the balance remaining shall be deposited in the Housing Mortgage Fund designated pursuant to § 8-87; (2) to finance the sale of any of the state’s housing projects pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, by a purchase money note providing for its complete amortization within a period not exceeding fifty years from its date, bearing interest at a rate to be set by the commissioner as provided in subsection (c) of § 8-76, but not below the minimum rate determined by the State Bond Commission and secured by a first mortgage on the premises purchased; (3) to do any and all acts or things necessary or appropriate to service purchase money notes and mortgages originated pursuant to the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, including entering into agreements with banks, mortgage service agencies and other institutions to service such notes and mortgages for service fees payable from collections of principal and interest on such notes, and upon default in the repayment of any such purchase money note, to acquire title to the premises mortgaged to secure the same in the name of the state by foreclosure or otherwise, and, upon acquisition by the state of title to any premises mortgaged to secure any such purchase money note, to dispose of the same for such price and upon such terms as the authority deems proper with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management; (4) to receive and accept aid or contributions, including money, property, labor and other things of value, from any source; and (5) to invest any funds not needed for immediate use or disbursement, including any funds held in reserve, in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America or the state of Connecticut and in other obligations which are legal investments for savings banks in this state.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provisions of the general statutes, if the Connecticut Housing Authority is designated as the redevelopment agency of a municipality, pursuant to § 8-126, the Connecticut Housing Authority shall have all the rights, duties, privileges, immunities and limitations as redevelopment agencies established pursuant to chapter 130.

(e) Notwithstanding the provisions of the general statutes, on and after May 25, 1994, the Connecticut Housing Authority shall not initiate or acquire any additional housing projects or provide financing, except refunding or refinancing of existing debt of the Connecticut Housing Authority if required by the terms of such existing debt, for any housing project through the issuance of bonds or otherwise, whether or not such housing project was initiated, acquired or financed by the Connecticut Housing Authority on or before May 25, 1994, except that the Connecticut Housing Authority may supplement or amend the terms of bonds issued or assumed by the Connecticut Housing Authority prior to May 25, 1994, and, in connection therewith, may give such notice and hold such public hearings as may be required by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended. The Connecticut Housing Authority shall exercise the powers and authority granted pursuant to the general statutes only to (1) administer or otherwise transact with respect to housing projects initiated, acquired, or financed, including through the issuance or assumption of bonds or otherwise on or before May 25, 1994, and (2) complete and perform obligations of the Connecticut Housing Authority incurred prior to or existing on or before May 25, 1994, including obligations under any bonds issued or assumed by the authority before said date.