Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 69.djvu/693

 69 S T A T. ]

651

PUBLIC LAW 345-AUG. 11, 1955

claims assigned to the Commissioner under this title, shall be charged to the Armed Services Housing Mortgage Insurance Fund. "SEC. 805. Whenever the Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force determines that it is necessary to lease any land held by the United States on or near a military installation to effectuate the purposes of this title, he may lease such land upon such terms and conditions as will, in his opinion, best serve the national interest. The authority conferred by this section shall be in addition to and not in derogation of any other power or authority of the Secretary of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. "SEC. 806. The second sentence of section 214 of the National Housing Act, as amended, relating to housing in the Territory of Alaska, shall not apply to mortgages insured under this title on property in said Territory. "SEC. 807. The Commissioner is authorized and directed to make such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this title. I n the performance of, and with respect to, the functions, powers, and duties vested in him by this title, the Commissioner, notwithstanding the provisions of any other law, shall appoint a Special Assistant for Armed Services Housing for Mortgage Insurance, and provide the Special Assistant with adequate staff, whose whole responsibility will be to expedite operations under this title and to eliminate administrative obstacles to the full utilization of this title under the direction and supervision of the Commissioner. "SEC. 808. The cost certification required under section 227 of this Act shall not be required with respect to mortgages insured under the provisions of this title as amended by the Housing Amendments of 1955." SEC. 402. Section 305 of the National Housing Act, as amended, is amended by adding the following at the end thereof: "(f) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, the Association is authorized to make commitments to purchase and to purchase, service, or sell, any mortgage (or participation therein) which is insured under title VIII of this Act, as amended by the Housing Amendments of 1955: Provided, That the total amount of purchases and commitments authorized by this subsection shall not exceed $200,000,000 outstanding at any one time." SEC. 403. (a) The Secretary of Defense or his designee is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with any eligible builder to provide for the construction of urgently needed housing on lands owned or leased by the United States and situated on or near a military reservation or installation for the purpose of providing suitable living accommodations for military personnel of the armed services assigned to duty at the military installation at or in the area where the housing is situated. Any such contract shall provide that each housing unit in the project shall be placed under the control of the Secretary of Defense, or his designee, as soon as the unit is available for occupancy as determined by the Commissioner. Any such contract shall also provide that, except for stock held by the Commissioner, the capital stock of the builder (where the builder is a corporation) be transferred to the Secretary of Defense, or his designee, when the housing has been completed as determined by the Commissioner. Any such contract shall contain such terms and conditions as the Secretary may determine to be necessary to protect the interests of the United States. Before the Secretary shall enter into any contract with any builder as authorized by this section for the construction of housing, he shall invite the submission of competitive bids after advertising in the manner prescribed in section 3 of the Armed Services Procurement Act of 1947. (b) For the purposes of this title, the term "eligible builder" means

Land l e a s e s on or near military installations.

Alaska. 12 USC 171Sd.

Rules and regulations.

12 USC 1715r.

Ante, p. 636.

Construction on U. S. lands for military personnel.

62 Stat. 22. 41 USC 152.

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