A local agency may construct or cause to be constructed rental housing for employees.

Bonds issued under the provisions of this chapter shall not be deemed to constitute a debt or liability of the local agency for which is pledged the faith and credit of the local agency.

All construction shall be undertaken or completed subject to the rules and regulations of the local agency. A local agency may acquire by deed, purchase, lease, contract, gift, devise, or otherwise any real or personal property, structures, rights, rights-of-way, franchises, easements, and other interests in property necessary or convenient for the construction or the financing of construction of rental housing for employees, upon such terms and conditions as it deems advisable, and may lease, sell, or dispose of the same in such manner as may be necessary or desirable to carry out the objectives and purposes of this chapter.

A local agency shall require that contractors and subcontractors engaged in construction financed under this chapter shall provide equal opportunity for employment, without discrimination as to any characteristic listed or defined in Section 12926 or 12926.1. All contracts and subcontracts for construction financed under this chapter shall be let without discrimination as to any of those characteristics.

Not less than 20 percent of the total number of units of housing for rent which are financed, or for which financing has been extended or committed, pursuant to this chapter from the proceeds of each bond issuance of the city or county, shall be for occupancy on a priority basis by lower income households, as defined in Section 50079.5 of the Health and Safety Code, at affordable rents, as defined in Section 50053 of the Health and Safety Code.