Powers of regional housing authority; definitions.

Except as otherwise provided herein, a regional housing authority and the commissioners thereof shall, within the area of operation of such regional housing authority, have the same functions, rights, powers, duties, privileges and immunities provided for housing authorities created for cities or counties and the commissioners of such housing authorities in the same manner as though all the provisions of law applicable to housing authorities created for cities or counties were applicable to regional housing authorities; provided that for such purposes the term “mayor” as used in the Housing Authorities Law shall be construed as meaning “Governor,” the term “governing body” as used therein shall be construed as meaning “county commissioners,” the term “city” as used therein shall be construed as meaning “county” and the term “clerk” as used therein shall be construed as meaning “county clerk,” as herein defined, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context; and provided further that the Governor may appoint any person as commissioner of a regional housing authority who is a qualified elector in the county from which he or she is appointed; and provided further that any commissioner of a regional housing authority may be removed or suspended in the same manner and for the same reason as other officers appointed by the Governor. A regional housing authority shall have power to select any appropriate corporate name.