A. In addition to the powers otherwise granted, an authority may acquire, subject to prior approval, after public hearing, of each such acquisition by the governing body of the county, city or town wherein the property to be acquired is located, any single-family or multi-family dwelling unit within the authority's area of operation by purchase, lease, or gift or through the exercise of the power of eminent domain as provided in subsection B of this section, for development and redevelopment including, but not limited to, the renovation, rehabilitation and disposition thereof, when such authority has determined: (i) that such dwelling unit or other structure has deteriorated to such extent as to constitute a serious and growing menace to the public health, safety and welfare; (ii) that such dwelling unit or other structure is likely to continue to deteriorate unless corrected; (iii) that the continued deterioration of such dwelling unit or other structure may contribute to the blighting or deterioration of the area immediately surrounding the said dwelling unit or other structure; and (iv) that the owner of such dwelling unit or other structure, after sixty days' notice to the landowner by certified mail, citing § 36-19.5, has failed to correct the deterioration thereof.

B. A local governing body may, on behalf of an authority, acquire through the exercise of the power of eminent domain any single-family or multi-family dwelling unit within the authority's area of operation, but only for those purposes set forth in subsection A of this section.

1979, c. 424.