Section 44. The requirements with respect to rentals and tenant selection for low-rent housing projects shall apply to units leased by a housing authority under the rental assistance program, except that (a) as between applicants, who need not be residents of the city or town, but shall be residents of the commonwealth who applied at the same time and who are eligible for occupancy, preference shall be given in the selection of tenants to the following types of applicants: first to families with four or more minor dependents, then to families displaced by public action, then to elderly persons of low income, and then to handicapped persons of low income or families of low income of which one or more persons is handicapped; provided, however, that in the case of any project financially assisted by the federal government, preference shall be given in the selection of tenants in whatever manner is required by federal legislation or regulation; [There is no clause (b).] (c) a housing authority shall release and assign its rights under any lease to the tenant then occupying a dwelling unit or such other housing units subject to regulations promulgated by the department of community affairs not inconsistent with the standards required for dwelling units under the rental assistance program provided the tenant so requests, and provided the tenant demonstrates financial ability to pay the full rent called for under the lease; and (d) payments to the owner of a dwelling unit or said other housing unit leased under the rental assistance program shall be made in the manner determined by the housing authority and agreed to by said owner. Amounts paid on behalf of tenant families under the rental assistance program shall not be considered in determining the amount of welfare or