In addition to the powers conferred by this Act and other laws, Housing Authorities for municipalities of less than 500,000 population and for counties, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the governing bodies of municipal corporations, counties and other public bodies may exercise the powers delegated to them in Sections 8.14 to 8.18, inclusive.
     The provisions of Sections 8.14 to 8.18, inclusive, shall be deemed to create an additional and alternative method for the conservation of urban residential areas and the prevention of slums in municipalities of less than 500,000 to that which is provided by the “Urban Community Conservation Act,” approved July 13, 1935, and shall not be deemed to alter, amend or repeal said Urban Community Conservation Act.