1802                                                LAWS OF MARYLAND                            [Ch. 508

(A)    IT IS HEREBY FOUND AND DECLARED THAT THERE
EXIST IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY UNSAFE AND UNSANITARY HOUSING
CONDITIONS AND A SHORTAGE OF SAFE AND SANITARY DWELLING
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS OF ELIGIBLE INCOME; THAT THESE
CONDITIONS NECESSITATE EXCESSIVE AND DISPROPORTIONATE
EXPENDITURES OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR CRIME PREVENTION AND
PUNISHMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, FIRE AND ACCIDENT
PROTECTION, AND OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES; AND
THAT THE PUBLIC INTEREST REQUIRES THE REMEDYING OF THESE
CONDITIONS.

IT IS HEREBY DECLARED THAT THE ASSISTANCE HEREIN
PROVIDED FOR THE REMEDYING OF THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN
THE HOUSING AUTHORITIES LAW CONSTITUTES A PUBLIC USE AND
PURPOSE AND AN ESSENTIAL GOVERNMENTAL FUNCTION FOR WHICH
PUBLIC MONEYS MAY BE SPENT, AND THAT THE PROVISIONS
HEREINAFTER ENACTED ARE NECESSARY IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST.

(B)    IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, THE STATE PUBLIC BODY
SHALL HAVE THE POWERS ENUMERATED IN THIS ARTICLE TO AID
AND COOPERATE WITH THE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION
IN THE PLANNING, UNDERTAKING, CONSTRUCTION OR OPERATION
OF HOUSING OR HOUSING PROJECTS FOR PERSONS OF ELIGIBLE
INCOME. FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, THE PHRASE
"PERSONS OF ELIGIBLE INCOME" SHALL MEAN PERSONS WHO
INDIVIDUALLY OR AS PART OF A FAMILY UNIT LACK SUFFICIENT
INCOME OR ASSETS (AS DETERMINED BY THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY
EXECUTIVE OR HIS DESIGNEE) TO ENABLE THEM, WITHOUT
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, TO LIVE IN DECENT, SAFE AND
SANITARY DWELLINGS WITHOUT OVERCROWDING. FOR PURPOSES OF
THIS SECTION THE PHRASE "HOUSING OR HOUSING PROJECT FOR
PERSONS OF ELIGIBLE INCOME" MEANS ANY UNDERTAKING OR
PROJECT, OR PORTION THEREOF, INCLUDING LANDS, BUILDINGS
AND IMPROVEMENTS, REAL, MIXED AND PERSONAL PROPERTIES OR
INTEREST THEREIN THAT IS PLANNED, ACQUIRED, OWNED,
DEVELOPED, CONSTRUCTED, RECONSTRUCTED, REHABILITATED OR
IMPROVED FOR PURPOSES OF PROVIDING DWELLING
ACCOMMODATIONS A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF WHICH
ACCOMMODATIONS SHALL BE FOR PERSONS OF ELIGIBLE INCOME,
AND SUCH STREETS, ROADS, SEWER AND WATERLINES AND OTHER
SUPPORTING PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FACILITIES INTENDED FOR
COMMERCIAL, EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL,
COMMUNITY OR OTHER CIVIC PURPOSES AS MAY BE DEEMED
NECESSARY FOR SOUND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

SECTION 3. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That this Act
is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and
necessary for the immediate preservation of the public
health and safety and having been passed by a yea and nay
vote supported by three—fifths of all the members elected
to each of the two Houses of the General Assembly, the
same shall take effect from the date of its passage.