reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 45a - Housing Authorities law—Bonds; warranty of payment; limitation

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico hereby guarantees payment of the principal of and interest on bonds in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding $325,000,000 issued or to be issued by the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation for any of the authorized purposes vested in it by law. The Corporation is hereby authorized to provide the Housing Bank and Finance Agency or to its successor or successors with that part of these funds it deems necessary and advisable to carry out such purposes. The bonds covered by this guaranty shall be those specified by the Corporation and a statement of such guaranty shall be set forth on the face thereof. It shall be construed that said guaranty extends to bonds that may be issued in the future to consolidate, merge or refund any bonds issued by the Corporation in accordance herewith, including payment of any premium that is paid in relation to such consolidation, merger or refunding, or accrued interest, if any, on the date of such consolidation, merger or refunding. If at any time the revenues, income or any other moneys of said Corporation pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on such bonds are not sufficient to pay such principal and interest as the same fall due, nor to maintain the reserve fund for bonds the Corporation has pledged to keep, the Secretary of the Treasury shall withdraw from the Redemption Fund established by former Act No. 269 of May 11, 1949, or from any available funds in the Treasury of Puerto Rico such sums as may be necessary to cover the deficiency in the amount required for the payment of such principal and interest and to compensate the amount used from such reserve fund and shall direct that the sums so withdrawn be applied to such payment and purpose. The good faith and credit of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are hereby pledged for such payments.
Notwithstanding the provisions included in this section, the Puerto Rico Housing Secretary may, from time to time, direct, through written notice to the Secretary of the Treasury, that the warranty herein authorized be transferred to the payment of the principal of and interest on the bonds issued or to be issued by the Puerto Rico Housing Bank and Finance Agency for any of its purposes authorized by Act No. 146, approved June 30, 1961; Provided, however, That said warranty shall remain in effect for any of the bonds theretofore issued by the Corporation and the bonds issued by the Corporation to refinance any of said bonds. The other provisions of this section shall fully apply to the bonds issued by the Bank and the Puerto Rico Housing Bank and Finance Agency.
History —May 7, 1964, No. 18, p. 57, § 1; June 18, 1965, No. 51, p. 92, § 2; June 13, 1967, No. 131, p. 419, § 2; Apr. 11, 1968, No. 20, p. 34, § 2; June 9, 1969, No. 30, p. 45, § 2; Apr. 28, 1970, No. 22, p. 44, § 2; May 29, 1973, No. 50, p. 128, § 2; July 23, 1974, No. 217, Part 2, p. 128; June 22, 1975, No. 65, p. 151.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 45b - Housing Authorities law—Report to Legislature

The Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation for Puerto Rico shall render to the Legislature at the beginning of each Regular Session a detailed report of the works developed by said Corporation chargeable to the funds obtained from the bonds issued by said Corporation through authorization of § 45a of this title. The report shall include the works carried out during the preceding fiscal year ending June 30, the works in development during the fiscal year in which the report is rendered and the proposed works for the following fiscal year.
History —June 18, 1965, No. 51, p. 92, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 46 - Housing Authorities law—Bonds; interest; denominations; sale

Bonds of an authority shall be authorized by its resolution and may be issued in one or more series and shall bear such date or dates, mature at such time or times, bear interest at such rate or rates, not exceeding six per centum (6%) per annum, be in such denomination or denominations, be in such form, either coupon or registered, carry such conversion or registration privileges, have such rank or priority, be executed in such manner, be payable in such medium of payment, at such place or places, and be subject to such terms of redemption, with or without premium, as such resolution, its trust indenture or mortgage may provide.
The bonds may be sold at public or private sale at not less than par.
In case any of the commissioners or officers of the authority whose signatures appear on any bonds or coupons shall cease to be such commissioners or officers before the delivery of such bonds, such signatures shall, nevertheless, be valid and sufficient for all purposes, the same as if such commissioners or officers had remained in office until such delivery. Any provision of any law to the contrary notwithstanding, any bonds issued pursuant to §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title shall be fully negotiable.
In any suit, action or proceedings involving the validity or enforceability of any bond of an authority or the security therefor, any such bond reciting in substance that it has been issued by the authority to aid in financing a housing project to provide dwelling accommodations for persons of low income shall be conclusively deemed to have been issued for a housing project of such character and said project shall be conclusively deemed to have been planned, located and constructed in accordance with the purposes and provisions of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, § 15.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 48 - Housing Authorities law—Bonds; submission to Secretary of Justice

An authority may submit to the Secretary of Justice any bonds to be issued hereunder after all proceedings for the issuance of such bonds have been taken. Upon submission of such proceedings to the Secretary of Justice, it shall be the duty of the Secretary of Justice to examine into and pass upon the validity of such bonds and the regularity of all proceedings in connection therewith.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, § 17; May 11, 1967, No. 33, p. 218.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 49 - Housing Authorities law—Actions against authority

An obligee of an authority shall have the right in addition to all other rights which may be conferred on such obligee, subject only to any contractual restrictions binding upon such obligee:
(a) By mandamus, suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity to compel said authority and the commissioners, officers, agents or employees thereof to perform each and every term, provision and covenant contained in any contract of said authority with or for the benefit of such obligee, and to require the carrying out of any or all such covenants and agreements of said authority and the fulfillment of all duties imposed upon said authority by §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title.
(b) By suit, action or proceeding in equity, to enjoin any acts or things which may be unlawful, or the violation of any of the rights of such obligee of said authority.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, § 18.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 50 - Housing Authorities law—Remedies of obligees of authority

An authority shall have power by its resolution, trust indenture, mortgage, lease or other contract to confer upon any obligee holding or representing a specified amount in bonds, or holding a lease, the right, in addition to all rights that may otherwise be conferred, upon the happening of an event of default as defined in such resolution or instrument, by suit, action or proceeding in any court of competent jurisdiction:
(a) To cause possession of any housing project or any part thereof to be surrendered to any such obligee.
(b) To obtain the appointment of a receiver of any housing project of said authority or any part thereof and of the rents and profits therefrom. If such receiver be appointed, he may enter and take possession of such housing project or any part thereof and operate and maintain same, and collect and receive all fees, rents, revenues, or other charges thereafter arising therefrom, and shall keep such moneys in a separate account or accounts and apply the same in accordance with the obligations of said authority as the court shall direct.
(c) To require said authority and the commissioners thereof to account as if it and they were the trustees of an express trust.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, § 19.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 51 - Housing Authorities law—Property exempt from levy or lien

All property, including funds, of an authority shall be exempt from any kind of judicial process including, without limitations, attachment, levy, foreclosure, and sale by virtue of an attachment or foreclosure, and no judgment shall be a lien or charge on its property or funds, neither shall any authority be required to give bond or to pay fees, imposts, charges or costs of any kind or nature in connection with the institution or defense, and the subsequent prosecution as plaintiff, defendant, or in any other capacity, in any action or judicial or administrative proceeding; Provided, however, That the provisions of this section shall not apply to or limit the rights of obligees to foreclose or otherwise enforce any mortgage or other security of an authority, or the rights of obligees to pursue remedies for the enforcement of any pledge or lien established by the authority on its rents, fees, or revenues, or the rights of the federal government to pursue the remedies conferred upon it by §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title. The authority shall satisfy promptly any judgment against it. If a judgment involves the payment of a sum of money, and it is not possible for such payment to be made because no funds are available for such purpose in the current budget, the authority shall allocate funds for such payments in its budget for the ensuing fiscal year. If the authority fails to pay within the three months following the approval of such budget, the Court of First Instance may enforce payment by means of a writ of mandamus.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, § 20; June 23, 1956, No. 88, p. 576, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 52 - Housing Authorities law—Additional powers of authority

In addition to the powers conferred upon an authority by other provisions of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, an authority is empowered to borrow money or accept contributions, grants or other financial assistance from the federal government for or in aid of any housing project within its area of operation, to take over or lease or manage any housing project or undertaking constructed or owned by the federal government, and to these ends, to comply with such conditions and enter into such mortgages, trust indentures, leases or agreements as may be necessary, convenient or desirable. It is the purpose and intent of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title to authorize every authority to do any and all things necessary or desirable to secure the financial aid or cooperation of the federal government in the undertaking, construction, maintenance or operation of any housing project by such authority.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, § 21.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 53a - Housing Authorities law—Exemption of construction materials and equipment

There shall be exempt from the payment of Commonwealth excise taxes, construction materials and equipment introduced or acquired locally by all those persons or entities who may develop or construct housing units to be occupied by families eligible to receive interest or rent subsidy benefits provided by any program authorized by legislation of the Commonwealth or federal government. This exemption shall be granted by the Secretary of the Treasury, upon certification by the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation that in relation to said projects there is a commitment awarded by the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation or the Housing Bank and Finance Agency or by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or the Federal Farmer’s Home Administration, for the granting of rent or interest subsidies on behalf of families eligible in accordance with the terms and regulations of Commonwealth or federal programs. Provided, That the exemption shall only apply when said materials and equipment are incorporated in permanent form and only with respect to housing units sold or leased under the subsidy programs referred to, upon certification of the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation with respect to the compliance of said conditions.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, added as § 22-A on June 22, 1975, No. 67, p. 169.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 54 - Housing Authorities law—Funds for housing projects

For the purpose of providing funds for the development of low-rent housing projects, the Secretary of the Treasury is hereby directed to deliver to the Puerto Rico Housing Authority the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) separated for the year 1943-44 and the additional sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) separated for the year 1944—45 from the fund known as “Fund for Housing Projects”. Provided, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall deliver said sums on such dates as the Puerto Rico Housing Authority may request same.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, added as § 28 on May 12, 1942, No. 238, p. 1364, § 1; Nov. 20, 1942, No. 7, p. 22, § 1; May 9, 1945, No. 154, p. 520, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 55 - Housing Authorities law—Report to Governor

At least once a year, every authority shall file with the Governor of Puerto Rico a report of its activities for the preceding year, and shall make recommendations with reference to such additional legislation or other action as it deems necessary in order to carry out the purposes of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title.
History —May 6, 1938, No. 126, p. 253, § 24, renumbered as § 35 on May 12, 1942, No. 238, p. 1364, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 12, 1942.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 56 - Homestead Division properties transferred to Authority

All rights in and to houses, workmen’s settlements, lots, and urban settlements now belonging to the Homestead Division of the Department of Labor and Human Resources of Puerto Rico, created by Act No. 250, approved May 15, 1938, are hereby transferred to the Puerto Rico Housing Authority, created by §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title.
History —May 8, 1945, No. 85, p. 304, § 1, eff. 90 days after May 8, 1945.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 57 - Homestead Division properties transferred to Authority—Functions, rights, and duties transferred

The Puerto Rico Housing Authority shall, on and after the date this act takes effect, have and exercise over said houses, workmen’s settlements, lots, and urban settlements, all the faculties, functions, powers, rights, and duties vested by law in the Homestead Division of the Department of Labor and Human Resources; all faculties, functions, powers, rights, and duties over said workmen’s settlements, houses, lots, and urban settlements, vested by law in the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, are hereby likewise transferred to and vested in the Puerto Rico Housing Authority.
History —May 8, 1945, No. 85, p. 304, § 2; Apr. 21, 1950, No. 73, p. 178, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 58 - Homestead Division properties transferred to Authority—Homestead division dissolved; files transferred

All funds, documents, and files of any nature in connection with said houses, workmen’s settlements, lots and urban settlements, in possession of the Homestead Division of the Department of Labor and Human Resources, hereby declared dissolved and without any powers on and after the date this act takes effect, are also transferred to the Puerto Rico Housing Authority; and all funds, documents, and files of any nature in connection with said houses, workmen’s settlements, lots and urban settlements, in possession of the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works, are hereby likewise transferred to the Puerto Rico Housing Authority.
History —May 8, 1945, No. 85, p. 304, § 3; Apr. 21, 1950, No. 73, p. 178, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 59 - Validation of Housing Authorities—Legal entities

The creation and establishment of Housing Authorities pursuant to, or purporting to be pursuant to, the provisions of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, as amended, together with all proceedings, acts and works undertaken, performed or done with reference thereto (including the appointment of commissioners, officers and employees), are hereby validated, ratified, confirmed, approved and declared legal in all respects, notwithstanding any want of statutory authority or defect or irregularity in such acts or proceedings. Said Housing Authorities are hereby declared to have been and to be legally constituted and to be bodies corporate and politic with all the powers, rights and duties set forth in §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, as amended.
History —May 15, 1951, No. 442, p. 1280, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 60 - Validation of Housing Authorities—Contracts, agreements, obligations validated

All contracts, agreements, obligations and undertakings of Housing Authorities heretofore entered into relating to financing or aiding in the development, construction, maintenance or operation of any housing or redevelopment projects or to obtaining aid therefor from the federal government, including (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) loans and annual contribution contracts and leases with the federal government, agreements with municipalities or other public bodies (including agreements which are pledged or authorized to be pledged) for the protection of the holders of any notes or bonds issued by Housing Authorities or which are otherwise made a part of the contracts with such holders of notes or bonds relating to cooperation, contributions, grants or other local participation in aid of housing or redevelopment projects, payments (if any) in lieu of taxes, furnishing of municipal services and facilities, and the elimination of unsafe and unsanitary dwellings, and contracts for the construction or operation of housing projects, together with all proceedings, acts and works heretofore undertaken, performed or done with reference thereto, are hereby validated, ratified, confirmed, approved and declared legal in all respects, notwithstanding any defect or irregularity therein or any want of statutory authority.
History —May 15, 1951, No. 442, p. 1280, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 61 - Validation of Housing Authorities—Notes and bonds validated

All proceedings, acts and works heretofore undertaken, performed or done in or for the authorization, issuance, sale, execution and delivery of notes and bonds by Housing Authorities for the purpose of financing or aiding in the undertaking of a housing or redevelopment project or projects and all notes and bonds heretofore issued by Housing Authorities are hereby validated, ratified, confirmed, approved and declared legal in all respects, notwithstanding any defect or irregularity therein or any want of statutory authority.
History —May 15, 1951, No. 442, p. 1280, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 61a - Validation of Housing Authorities—Bonds, contracts, agreements, commitments, proceedings, actions and works

There are hereby validated, ratified, confirmed, approved and declared lawful for all ends and purposes:
(a) The creation and establishment of Housing Authorities pursuant to, or supposedly pursuant to, the provisions of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title.
(b) All bonds, promissory notes and debentures heretofore issued by the Housing Authorities with the approval of the pertinent federal government agencies for the purpose of financing or aiding in the carrying out of housing, public dwelling, or redevelopment projects.
(c) All contracts, agreements and commitments of the Housing Authorities heretofore executed with the approval of the pertinent agencies of the federal government with relation to financing or aiding in the development, construction, maintenance and operation of housing, public dwelling, or redevelopment projects, or for securing federal aid therefor, including, in general, for instance, annual loans or contributions, contracts or leaseholds with the federal government, agreements with the municipalities and other public entities for the protection of the holders of any bonds, promissory notes or debentures of the Housing Authorities, or otherwise made a party to the contracts with such holders with relation to the cooperation, contributions, grants or any other local participation in the aid for these projects, payments in lieu of contributions, furnishing of municipal or state services and facilities, clearance of unsafe and unhygienic dwellings and slums, and contracts for the construction or operation of housing, public dwelling, or redevelopment projects.
(d) All proceedings, actions and works undertaken, executed and performed by the Housing Authorities for the purposes mentioned in subsections (a), (b) and (c) of this section and with relation to the activities therein described, including the approval of actions and works undertaken, executed or performed by any municipality of Puerto Rico or any other public or governmental entity or agency of Puerto Rico for the same purposes and to facilitate cooperation with and aid from the federal government.
History —June 20, 1956, No. 69, p. 284, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 61b - Validation of Housing Authorities—Scope of validation

The validation authorized by § 61a of this title shall be effective notwithstanding any lack of statutory authority or any administrative lache or faulty proceeding; Provided, That such validation shall not be construed as applying to any act of misapplication of funds or of misfeasance, whether or not related to the public purposes, of the entities mentioned in §§ 61a and 61b of this title or of any person associated therewith.
History —June 20, 1956, No. 69, p. 284, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 62 - Road and street maintenance in housing projects

In the expenses of administration of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority and municipal housing authorities are included the expenses for the repair and maintenance of roads, streets, and alleys within the projects; and in order to keep these operating expenses as low as possible so as to keep the house rent on said projects very low, such roads, streets and alleys, and the approaches thereto from commonwealth roads, shall be considered as a part of the system of commonwealth roads for the purposes of repair and maintenance; and the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works is hereby directed and instructed to repair and maintain such approaches, roads, streets, and alleys, beginning with the fiscal year 1939-40, with the funds provided by Act No. 143 of 1937 for the maintenance of roads and bridges by the Department of Transportation and Public Works; and he is further authorized to make agreements with the Puerto Rico Housing Authority or with any constituted municipal housing authority for the maintenance and repair of said approaches, roads, streets, and alleys without cost to the said Puerto Rico Housing Authority or to any constituted municipal housing authority, while such projects subsist.
History —Apr. 11, 1939, No. 24, p. 340, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 63 - Rents deposited with internal revenue collectors

The Secretary of the Treasury is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to receive on deposit, through internal revenue collectors, moneys from the rents of the settlements of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority; Provided, That said deposits shall be made in the offices of the collectors by duly authorized employees of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority; Provided, further, That the Secretary of the Treasury shall deliver said deposits each month to the central office of the Puerto Rico Housing Authority.
History —May 8, 1942, No. 151, p. 826, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 64 - Rents deposited with internal revenue collectors—Regulations for receipt of deposits

The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized and directed to prepare the regulations that may be necessary for the receipts and handling of these deposits and the later transfer of funds to the Puerto Rico Housing Authority.
History —May 8, 1942, No. 151, p. 826, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 65 - Lands of Commonwealth transferred to authorities

The Secretary of Public Works is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed to transfer or convey to the Puerto Rico Housing Authority or to any municipal housing authority in Puerto Rico created by §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, without remuneration, any or all of the rights, titles, and interest of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in and to any public lands belonging to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, together with all rights, easements, benefits, and privileges thereunto appertaining, that may now or hereafter be desired by such Puerto Rico Housing Authority or municipal housing authority in connection with any low-cost housing or slum-clearance project, or both, undertaken with the aid of the United States Government or any agency thereof; provided, that the Secretary of Transportation and Public Works finds that such land does not now serve, or has ceased to serve, any other public purpose and that the interests of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico will be served best by such transfer or conveyance.
History —Apr. 28, 1939, No. 58, p. 432, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 74 - Minimum facilities for housing projects—Acquisition of land

The Puerto Rico Housing Authority is hereby authorized to acquire lands by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise and to develop and construct thereon housing projects provided with a minimum of public services, to accommodate the families which year after year bring an increase in the slums of the Commonwealth; Provided, That the Authority may acquire the lands necessary therefor.
History —May 14, 1949, No. 363, p. 1110, § 1, eff. July 1, 1949.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 75 - Minimum facilities for housing projects—Approval of plans by Planning Board

The housing developments for which funds are hereby appropriated shall be planned and developed with minimum facilities subject to the approval of the Planning Board, including streets, sidewalks, public fountains for water supply, electric lighting and sanitary toilet rooms, providing lots with sufficient space for the enlargement of the buildings which may be constructed thereon.
History —May 14, 1949, No. 363, p. 1110, § 2, eff. July 1, 1949.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 3 - Housing Authorities (§§ 31 — 77) › § 76 - Minimum facilities for housing projects—Regulation of transfer of families from slums

The Puerto Rico Housing Authority is hereby empowered to regulate the transfer of families from the slums and their admission to projects of this type; it being likewise empowered to procure the issuance of the necessary permits for the construction or transfer of dwellings to said project.
History —May 14, 1949, No. 363, p. 1110, § 3, eff. July 1, 1949.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 86 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Declaration of policy

It is hereby declared that:
(a) There exists in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico an acute shortage of safe and hygienic dwellings within the financial means of families of moderate income, as hereinafter defined.
(b) Because of said shortage of dwellings, many families of moderate income, including those displaced from areas where urban renewal programs and public improvement projects are developed, are compelled to live in crowded and unsanitary dwellings.
(c) The alarming growth of slums continues to aggravate the housing problem in general.
(d) The effort of private enterprise cannot provide sufficient safe and hygienic dwellings at a rent or sale price that can be paid by families of moderate income.
It is likewise declared that the acute shortage of dwellings for persons of moderate income and the existence of the conditions created by said shortage, threaten and endanger the health, safety, welfare and comfort of a great sector of the population of Puerto Rico; that it is in the public interest and constitutes a public aim to ease said acute shortage of dwellings for families of moderate income.
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 1.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 87 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Sale or lease of dwellings

The powers granted by §§ 86—94 of this title to the Corporation to acquire lands and to construct or provide for the construction of dwellings for families of moderate income shall be exercised only on those sites where the Corporation shall find that the conditions described in § 86 of this title prevail and it so declared.
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 88 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Definitions

The following terms when used or referred to in §§ 86—94 of this title shall have respectively the following meanings, unless the context clearly shows a different meaning:
(a) Corporation. — Means the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation of Puerto Rico.
(b) Families of moderate income. — Means any family of two or more persons whose income is higher than that of a person of low income as defined in §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, and which income renders such family ineligible to occupy public housing projects constructed and administered by the Corporation and at the same time is so low as not to enable it to rent or buy a decent, safe and hygienic dwelling constructed by private enterprise. Also considered as “families of moderate income” shall be any family of two or more persons that, although eligible to occupy a public dwelling under the terms of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, has sufficient income, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, to acquire, through lease or by purchase, a dwelling constructed under the provisions of §§ 86—94 of this title.
(c) Dwellings for moderate income families or dwellings. — Means dwellings of a simple or multiple type, apartment buildings, apartment buildings subject to the rule of horizontal property, cooperative dwellings, and any other type of dwelling adequate to the needs and economic ability of families of moderate income. It also includes those facilities, accessions and comforts that the Corporation may deem necessary or desirable to provide decent, safe, hygienic and attractive dwellings, including lands, improvements, and any other property, enlargement of existing structures, equipment, machinery, furniture, public utilities, roads, garage driveways, gardens, parks, recreational areas, parking areas, facilities for commercial activities by lessees or private owners and concessionaries, essential for serving the residents of the dwellings, the preparation of the land, planning, and any other work related or incidental thereto.
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 3; June 20, 1966, No. 81, p. 245.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 89 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Acquisition of lands; sale; construction; borrowing; general powers

In addition to the powers granted by other laws, and subject to the provisions of §§ 86—94 of this title and to such regulations as may be promulgated, the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation of Puerto Rico is hereby authorized:
(a) To acquire by purchase, condemnation or otherwise, those lands to be used for the development of dwellings for families of moderate income.
(b) To sell or lease lands, with or without improvements, to families of moderate income, to any agency, board, commission, authority or instrumentality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; to housing cooperatives organized in accordance with the Cooperatives Act of Puerto Rico, or to nonprofit associations organized for the benefit of its members and limited-dividend associations, engaged in the construction of dwellings to be sold or leased to families of moderate income.
(c) To sell said lands, with or without improvements, to any person, firm or corporation engaged in the construction of dwellings for families of moderate income, with the purpose of constructing thereon dwellings for families of moderate income.
(d) To construct or reconstruct on said lands dwellings for families of moderate income and to sell or rent said dwellings, including the lands, to families of moderate income.
(e) To accept mortgages as security for the payment of the sale price of the lands and dwellings sold by the Corporation under §§ 86—94 of this title.
(f) To borrow money and issue bonds as defined in §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, within the powers conferred and with the limitations imposed on the Corporation by said sections, with the purpose of financing the costs of providing dwellings for families of moderate income. The amount of the interest paid by the Corporation for temporary financing, for the time the construction of the dwellings may last and during a year thereafter, may be included in the bond issue. Said bonds may be secured by pledging the proceeds from the sale of the dwellings, which shall include the corresponding amortizations of the mortgages constituted on the dwellings sold by the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of §§ 86—94 of this title. In any suit, action, judicial or administrative proceedings involving the validity or effectiveness of any bonds issued by the Corporation or the security therefor, said bonds shall be considered, without proof to the contrary being admitted, issued for the purposes stated in §§ 86—94 of this title, if on the face of the bonds it is expressed that they have been issued by the Corporation to finance the construction of dwellings for families of moderate income.
(g) To exercise any other necessary or desirable powers in connection with the planning, financing, acquisition, construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance and operation, lease and sale of dwellings for families of moderate income.
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 4.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 90 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Reasonable rentals and sale prices

The Corporation shall fix the reasonable rentals and sale prices within the economic possibilities of the families of moderate income. On making the computations for the fixing of said rentals or sale prices, the Corporation shall make sure that said rentals or sale prices, together with any other funds belonging to the Corporation, are sufficient at least for:
(1) Paying the principal of and interest on the bonds issued by the Corporation in accordance with the provisions of §§ 86—94 of this title.
(2) Paying the administrative and other expenses incurred by the Corporation for providing dwellings for families of moderate income, including, but without limitations, maintenance expenses, repair of such dwellings, insurance, and expenses in connection with the sale and financing of each dwelling.
(3) Providing reasonable reserves to meet the payment of expenses and the amortizations referred to in the preceding subsections (1) and (2).
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 91 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Mortgage on property

Whenever the Corporation sells a dwelling on a time price, it shall require of the purchaser to constitute a mortgage on the property the object of the purchase-sale contract, to secure the said time price and accrued interest thereon.
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 92 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Regulations

The Corporation shall adopt the necessary regulations, consistent with the purposes of §§ 86—94 of this title, to expedite compliance with the provisions thereof, which regulations shall have the force of law after promulgated by the Governor. Said regulations shall contain, among others, provisions relative to:
(1) The maximum income and other qualifications which the families of moderate income must have in order to avail themselves of the provisions of §§ 86—94 of this title.
(2) The restrictions, conditions and other requirements to which the use of said dwellings must be subordinated.
(3) The conditions, requirements and restrictions to be fulfilled by the purchasers who are interested in selling or mortgaging the dwelling. To this end standards shall be included for the maximum price for which the resale may be made.
(4) The conditions required from third persons who construct dwellings on lands of the Corporation with the purpose of selling or leasing them to families of moderate income. Among others, said conditions shall include the maximum size of the lots and of the dwellings, the general specifications, the maximum sale prices, and the maximum rentals.
(5) The conditions to be required from persons who acquire lands from the Corporation for the construction of dwellings for families of moderate income. In addition to the conditons established in subsection (4) above, conditions may be stipulated as to the time for beginning and completing the construction of the dwellings, the securities to be required to insure fulfillment of the purposes of §§ 86—94 of this title, the families to which the dwellings constructed on said lands may be granted, and any other conditions that the Corporation may deem necessary so that the purposes of §§ 86—94 of this title be not defeated.
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 7.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 93 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Resale

No person who acquires a dwelling in accordance with the provisions of §§ 86—94 of this title may sell or in any way alienate it without the previous consent of the Corporation during the term the latter may prescribe through regulation to that effect. In order to give its consent the Corporation shall take into consideration, among other facts, the following:
(a) That the dwelling be acquired by a family of moderate income that in good faith needs it for dwelling purposes.
(b) That the lien be of such nature as not to detract from the purposes for which the dwelling was constructed.
(c) That in case the lien consists of a mortgage, the mortgager shall be an existing financial institution that offers assurances that the dwelling will continue to be used for the purposes for which it was constructed as provided in §§ 86—94 of this title.
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 8.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 94 - Dwellings for persons of moderate income—Conditions and restrictions as lien

The conditions, restrictions and requirements which the Corporation may by regulation or contract impose upon the purchasers in connection with dwellings for families of moderate income shall constitute a real lien on the property the object of the purchase-sale contract for the period of time it may fix.
History —June 26, 1964, No. 82, p. 260, § 9.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 94a - Resolution of sales contract—Causes

The Department of Housing, its agencies or attached corporations, or the Puerto Rico Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation’s Accounts Liquidation Office is hereby empowered to file a special uniform procedure before the Court of First Instance for the cancellation of the purchase contract and conveyance of the title deed or the transfer of title alone, as pertinent, of those dwellings built, sold or financed under any housing program of the Department, its agencies or attached corporations, or whose titleholder is the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation’s Accounts Liquidation Office in those cases in which the dwelling is vacant and abandoned, and the mortgager has failed to meet two or more consecutive monthly payments of the mortgage loan granted in his behalf.
In the cases presented by the Puerto Rico Housing Bank and Financing Agency, hereinafter the Bank, the procedure shall be one of transferring the title deed of those dwellings financed by said Bank.
Said special procedure shall be served on the titleholder and known creditors as soon as it is filed, through a summons that shall be issued and served pursuant to Rule 4 of the Rules of Civil Procedure for the General Court of Justice of Puerto Rico.
History —June 12, 1980, No. 118, p. 431, § 1; Aug. 9, 1991, No. 53, § 2.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 94b - Resolution of sales contract—Initiation of procedures; jurisdiction

The Department of Housing, its agencies or attached corporations, hereinafter the “Department”, or the Urban Renewal and Housing Corporation’s Accounts Liquidation Office, hereinafter, the “Office,” shall file a special procedure for cancellation of the contract or a petition for the conveyance of title before the Court of First Instance Part of the territory in which the property is located, stating the essential fact that the dwelling subject to this special procedure is vacant and abandoned, together with sufficient evidence to establish that the titleholder is delinquent in the payment of the mortgage loan granted to him. The writ shall be accompanied by a copy of the notice sent to the titleholder and the creditors with a known interest, by registered mail with acknowledgementy of receipt, whereby their presence will be required before the Department or the Office within fifteen (15) days following its receipt. In said notice, which is a prior requirement for the filing of the special procedure, it shall state that the titleholder or any creditor with a known interest shall show cause whereby the contract and mortgage should not be cancelled, and he shall be admonished that if he does not appear within the abovestatedy period, or having appeared, refuses to, or shows a lack of interest in meeting the conditions stipulated in the purchase contract and mortgage, or the mortgage alone, the Department or the Office may file the procedure established by §§ 94a et seq. of this title before the Court of First Instance. The creditors with known interest, in their appearance before the Department or the Office, may opt to pay the debt in full and become preferred creditors. They shall have the same option in the hearing before the court provided in § 94c of this title.
The writ before the court shall state whatever pertains to the purchase contract, the mortgage contract and the note, and shall include a certificate of the amount of the monthly payments that are due and unpaid.
History —June 12, 1980, No. 118, p. 431, § 2; Aug. 9, 1991, No. 53, § 3.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 94c - Resolution of sales contract—Hearing

In filing said writ in court, it shall proceed to summon the titleholder of the dwelling, the known creditors, and the Department or the Office, to a hearing to be held within twenty (20) days following the summons, to hear the case. It shall be estimated by pertinent evidence in the hearing, that the dwelling is vacant and abandoned, the nonpayment of the mortgage contract by the mortgager, and the rights of the creditors. The Department or the Office, as the case may be, shall show cause why the contract shall be cancelled in their favor, or the title deed should be conveyed to them. In the event that the creditors with known interest do not appear, or show a lack of interest, the court may decide that the amounts due shall be cancelled.
History —June 12, 1980, No. 118, p. 431, § 3; Aug. 9, 1991, No. 53, § 5.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4 - Program for Housing Construction (§§ 86 — 94d) › § 94d - Resolution of sales contract—Case disposition

Within five (5) days after the hearing is held, if the court deems it proper after hearing the evidence presented, it shall order the cancellation of the purchase contract and the conveyance of the title deed, or the conveyance of the title deed only in those cases that it is pertinent, according to the evidence presented.
History —June 12, 1980, No. 118, p. 431, § 4; Aug. 9, 1991, No. 53, § 6.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4A - Replacement of Asbestos-Cement Houses (§§ 95-95d — 95c) › §§ 95–95d - Repealed. Act Oct. 31, 2011, No. 214, § 1, effective Act Oct. 31, 2011

History July 1, 1979, No. 125, —July 20, 1979, No. 125, p. 303, § 1, retroactive to July 1, 1979; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4A - Replacement of Asbestos-Cement Houses (§§ 95-95d — 95c) › § 95b - Replacement begun by owner [Repealed]

History —July 20, 1979, No. 125, p. 303, § 3, retroactive to July 1, 1979; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 4A - Replacement of Asbestos-Cement Houses (§§ 95-95d — 95c) › § 95c - Remission of mortgage lien [Repealed]

History —July 20, 1979, No. 125, p. 303, § 4, retroactive to July 1, 1979; Repealed. Act.
2023 Laws of Puerto Rico › TITLE SEVENTEEN - Housing (§§ 1 — 1546) › Chapter 5 - Redevelopment Projects (§§ 101 — 119) › § 101 - Short title

Sections 101—119 of this title may be referred to as the “Redevelopment and Housing Law”.
History —May 9, 1947, No. 97, p. 226, § 13.