(a) In undertaking development projects, a housing authority shall have all the rights, powers, privileges, and immunities that a housing authority has under the Housing Authorities Act, §§ 14-169-201 — 14-169-205, 14-169-207 — 14-169-225, 14-169-227, 14-169-229 — 14-169-240, and 14-169-804 and any other provision of law relating to slum clearance and housing projects for persons of low income including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the power to make and execute contracts, to issue bonds and other obligations and give security therefor, to acquire real property by eminent domain or purchase, and to do any and all things necessary to carry out projects, in the same manner as though all the provisions of law applicable to slum clearance and housing projects were applicable to redevelopment projects undertaken under this subchapter.
(b) Nothing contained in §§ 14-169-236 — 14-169-238 shall be construed as limiting the power of an authority, in the event of a default by a purchaser or lessee of land in a redevelopment plan, to acquire property and operate it free from the restrictions contained in these statutes.