RS 431 - General character of local housing authority powers
A. A local housing authority shall possess all powers necessary, convenient, or desirable in carrying out the purposes of this Chapter, exercising any power provided herein, and engaging in any activity related to furthering the purposes of this Chapter. Such powers shall include but shall not expressly be limited to the powers enumerated in this Section or stated elsewhere in this Chapter or in other applicable law.
B. The powers enumerated in this Chapter may be exercised singly or in any combination. The enumeration of any power shall not require, expressly or by implication, that any local housing authority shall be required to exercise such power.
C. In addition to any other express, constructive, or implied powers existing under applicable law, a local housing authority shall have powers, which may be exercised singly or in any combination. The enumeration of such powers shall not be construed to limit the powers of any local housing authority to the powers so enumerated. Those powers are to:
(1) Have perpetual existence unless terminated by proper authority as provided by law.
(2) Sue and, subject to the limitations, privileges, and immunities provided by applicable law, be sued.
(3) Adopt a seal and to alter such seal from time to time.
(4) Adopt, amend, repeal, and restate bylaws.
(5) Adopt and enforce rules and regulations related to carrying out the purposes of the local housing authority and exercising its powers and to amend or repeal such regulations from time to time.
(6) Enter into, execute, and perform contracts, instruments, and agreements of every kind and description, within or without its area of operation except where otherwise expressly provided, in furtherance of the purposes of this Chapter and in connection with the exercise of any of its powers.
(7) Issue bonds and other debt instruments as provided in R.S. 40:470 and secure the repayment of such bonds and debt instruments by granting security interests in any or all of the local housing authority's real and personal property.
(8) Guarantee any indebtedness or performance of any affiliate or third party in furtherance of the purposes of this Chapter.
(9) Enter into and perform interagency and intergovernmental agreements of every kind and description and act in consortium with, as agent or manager for, or pursuant to agreement or contract with, other local housing authorities and any and all state, federal, and local public agencies to carry out the purposes of this Chapter and exercise any of its powers.
(10) Form and operate nonprofit corporations and other affiliates of every kind and description, which may be wholly or partially owned or controlled by the authority, for carrying out the purposes of this Chapter and in connection with the exercise of any of the powers of a local housing authority.
(11) Enter into arrangements of every kind and description in furtherance of the purposes of this Chapter and in connection with the exercise of any of its powers of a local housing authority.
(12) However, no local housing authority shall exercise any power or authority relative to the issuance of bonds or other debt instruments without prior approval of the State Bond Commission.
D. Such arrangements may include but shall not be limited to arrangements with individual persons, general and limited partnerships; joint ventures; syndicates and syndications; corporations; limited liability companies, corporations, and partnerships; unincorporated associations; cooperatives; consortia; and any and all other forms of structures, arrangements, and organizations.
E. A local housing authority may participate as a general or limited partner, co-venturer, shareholder, or otherwise as a principal, an investor, a lender, a guarantor, a contracting party, or in any other manner, all upon such terms and conditions and with such rights and obligations as the governing board of the local housing authority shall, from time to time, in its discretion determine to be appropriate.
F. With respect to the forms and characteristics of arrangements, local housing authorities shall have, consistent with the limitations upon their powers set forth below and as otherwise imposed in this Chapter, the same discretion, authority, and flexibility as would be possessed by a private person or entity performing the same function.
G. Consistent with the limitations upon their powers set forth in R.S. 40:482, local housing authorities may participate in cooperative arrangements with persons and for profit entities whose purpose is solely that of pecuniary gain, as well as with nonprofit entities and persons who seek no pecuniary gain. The participation of a local housing authority in any arrangement with other persons or entities, including for-profit persons and entities, shall not cause any activity engaged in by the authority to be characterized as proprietary nor deprive the authority of any privilege or immunity otherwise existing under law.
Acts 1997, No. 1188, §1.