2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 33 - Housing Authorities law—Definitions

The following terms, wherever used or referred to in §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, shall have the following respective meanings, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
(a) Authority or Housing Authority. — Shall mean any of the public corporations created by § 34 of this title.
(b) Municipality. — Shall mean any municipality of Puerto Rico, including the Capital of Puerto Rico. “The municipality” shall mean the particular municipality for which a particular housing authority is created.
(c) Governing body. — Shall mean the municipal legislature or board of commissioners of the Capital.
(d) Mayor. — Shall mean the mayor of the municipality or the City Manager of the Capital.
(e) Clerk. — Shall mean the municipal secretary or the secretary of the Capital.
(f) Area of operation. —
(1) In the case of a housing authority of a municipality shall be co-extensive with the territorial boundaries thereof.
(2) In the case of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority shall include all of Puerto Rico; Provided, however, That the area of operation of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority shall not include any area which lies within the territorial boundaries of a municipality wherein commissioners of a housing authority have been appointed pursuant to §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, unless the consent of the governing body of such municipality has first been obtained by the Puerto Rico Housing Authority; Provided, further, That the appointment of commissioners of an authority by a municipality shall not deprive the Puerto Rico Housing Authority of jurisdiction over any housing project commenced or undertaken by the Puerto Rico Housing Authority prior to such appointment.
(g) Federal government. — Shall include the United States of America, the Public Housing Administration of the United States, or any other agency or instrumentality, corporate or otherwise, of the United States of America.
(h) Slum. — Shall mean any area where dwellings predominate which, by reason of dilapidation, overcrowding, faulty arrangement or design, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or any combination of these factors, are detrimental to safety, health or morals.
(i) Housing projects. — Shall mean any work or undertaking:
(1) To demolish, clear or remove buildings from any slum area; such work or undertaking may embrace the adoption of such area to public purposes, including parks or other recreational or community purposes; or
(2) to provide decent, safe and sanitary urban or rural dwellings, apartments or other living accommodations for persons of low income; such work or undertaking may include buildings and other structures that can be used in addition to living accommodations as community centers that may include premises devoted to commercial use, land, equipment, facilities and other real or personal property for necessary, convenient or desirable appurtenances, streets, sewers, water service, parks, site preparation, gardening, administrative, community, health, recreational, welfare or other purposes; or
(3) to accomplish a combination of the foregoing.
The term “housing project” also may be applied to the making of plans for buildings and improvements, acquisition of property, demolition of existing structures, construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of improvements and all other work in connection therewith.
(j) Persons of low income. — Shall mean persons or families who lack the amount of income which is necessary, as determined by the authority undertaking the housing project, to enable them without financial assistance, to live in decent, safe and sanitary dwellings, without overcrowding.
(k) Bonds. — Shall mean any bonds, notes, interim certificates, debentures, or other obligations issued by an authority pursuant to §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title.
(l) Real property. — Shall include all lands, including improvements and fixtures thereon, and property of any nature appurtenant thereto, or used in connection therewith, and every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, therein, including terms for years and liens by way of judgment, mortgage or otherwise and the indebtedness secured by such liens.
(m) Obligee of the authority or obligee. — Shall include any bondholder, trustee or trustees for any bondholders, or lessor demising to the authority property used in connection with a housing project, or any assignee or assignees of such lessor’s interest or any part thereof, and the federal government when it is a party to any contract with the authority.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, § 3; June 22, 1962, No. 89, p. 234.