Ch. 330 LAWS OF MARYLAND

TITLE 2. HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION OF MONTGOMERY

COUNTY

2-101.

TITLE 1 OF THIS ARTICLE SHALL APPLY TO THE HOUSING
OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY TO THE
EXTENT IT IS NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THIS TITLE.

2-102.

(A) IT IS HEREBY FOUND AND DECLARED THAT THERE EXISTS
WITHIN MONTGOMERY COUNTY A CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF DECENT,
SAFE, AND SANITARY DWELLING ACCOMMODATIONS AVAILABLE
EITHER TO RENT OR PURCHASE WHICH PERSONS OF ELIGIBLE INCOME
CAN AFFORD AND THAT, AS A RESULT, SUCH PERSONS ARE FORCED TO
OCCUPY OVERCROWDED AND CONGESTED DWELLING
ACCOMMODATIONS, OR ARE REQUIRED TO PAY AN INORDINATE SHARE
OF THEIR INCOME FOR SHELTER; THAT THE AFORESAID CONDITIONS
NECESSITATE EXCESSIVE AND DISPROPORTIONAL EXPENDITURES OF
PUBLIC FUNDS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, FIRE AND ACCIDENT
PROTECTION, AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES; THAT
THERE EXISTS WITHIN MONTGOMERY COUNTY A PUBLIC EMERGENCY
CAUSED BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, RAPIDLY ESCALATING
CONSTRUCTION COSTS, OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES, AND
THE INCREASE IN CONVERSIONS OF EXISTING RENTAL FACILITIES TO
CONDOMINIUM PROJECTS; THAT THE PROBLEMS CREATED BY OR
RESULTING FROM THESE INFLATIONARY CONDITIONS AND
CONVERSIONS ARE MANY AND SERIOUS AND INCLUDE MAJOR
DISPLACEMENT OF LARGE NUMBERS OF TENANTS, INCLUDING ELDERLY
OR HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS, FROM THEIR DWELLING UNITS,
SCARCITY OF LOW AND MODERATE INCOME UNITS ON THE MARKET
WHEN DEMAND FOR SUCH UNITS IS INCREASING, INADEQUATE
NUMBERS OF RENTAL UNITS AVAILABLE, PLANNED OR UNDER
CONSTRUCTION TO REPLACE THE RENTAL UNITS BEING CONVERTED TO
CONDOMINIUMS AND FRUSTRATION OF GENERAL PLAN CONCEPTS OF
BALANCED HOUSING MIX AND ADEQUATE PROVISION FOR HOUSING
NEEDS OF ALL ECONOMIC SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY; THAT THE
SHORTAGE OF DECENT, SAFE, AND SANITARY DWELLINGS CANNOT
WHOLLY BE RELIEVED THROUGH THE OPERATION OF PRIVATE
ENTERPRISE; AND THAT THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSING FOR PERSONS
OF ELIGIBLE INCOME, AND THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO
ASSIST IN SECURING THE PRODUCTION OR AVAILABILITY OF SUCH
HOUSING FOR THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN THIS SUBSECTION ARE,
THEREFORE, NOT COMPETITIVE WITH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE; AND THAT
THE NECESSITY FOR SUCH HOUSING AND THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC

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