57.—(1) The Executive may, for the purpose of securing, or assisting in securing, all or any of the objectives specified in Article 52 undertake on any land vested in it, which is situated in a housing action area, all or any of the following activities—
(a)the provision of housing accommodation, by the construction, conversion or improvement of buildings or otherwise;
(b)the carrying out of works required for the improvement or repair of housing accommodation, including work to the exterior, or on land within the curtilage of buildings containing housing accommodation;
(c)the demolition of existing buildings;
(d)the management of housing accommodation; and
(e)the provision of furniture, fittings or services in or in relation to housing accommodation;
and Article 28 shall apply to the powers exercisable by the Executive under this Article, in connection with the provision of housing accommodation.
(2) The Executive may, with the approval of the Department, make and carry into effect an agreement with any housing association[F1 registered under Part II of the Housing (Northern Ireland) Order 1992 or other person whereby the association or that person] may act as agent for the Executive in undertaking any of the activities mentioned in paragraph (1).