Section 2B. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a city or town may provide for the construction of one and two family dwellings for persons of low income, by students in vocational-technical schools enrolled in construction programs.

No such construction shall be undertaken without the prior approval of the division of occupational education and in a city with the prior approval of the mayor and council or in a town with the prior approval of the town council, or if there is no town council, with the approval of the town meeting and board of selectmen.