(a) The administrator and head of DSHA shall be the Housing Director. The Housing Director shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve at the Governor's pleasure. The Housing Director shall be a person qualified by training and experience to perform the duties of the office, and preference shall be given to a resident of this State, provided that resident is acceptable and equally qualified. If the Housing Director is not a resident of Delaware at the time of appointment to the position, the Director must become a resident within 6 months of appointment. The Housing Director shall be paid an annual salary established by the Governor within the limitation of the funds appropriated therefor.
(b) In the event of the death, resignation, temporary incapacity or removal of the Housing Director, and prior to the appointment of a successor, the Governor may appoint any qualified employee of DSHA to serve as Acting Housing Director. The Housing Director may, during an absence from the State, appoint any qualified employee of DSHA or any of its subdivisions to serve as Acting Housing Director during such absence. In either case, the Acting Housing Director shall have all the powers and shall perform all the duties and functions of the Housing Director during absence or incapacity or until a successor is duly appointed.
(c) The Housing Director shall be the Chairperson and issuing officer of DSHA. The powers of DSHA, as specified in Chapter 40 of Title 31, shall be vested in the Housing Director.
(d) The Housing Director shall not be subject to Chapter 59 of this title.