2894

LAWS OF MARYLAND

[Ch. 618

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1971 Replacement Volume and 1974 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That new Section 8B be and it is hereby added
to Article 44A — Housing Authorities, of the Annotated
Code of Maryland (1971 Replacement Volume and 1974
Supplement) to read as follows:

Article 44A — Housing Authorities

8B. HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY.

(A)    IT IS HEREBY FOUND AND DECLARED THAT THERE
EXISTS WITHIN BALTIMORE CITY 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
DISPROPORTIONATE EXPENDITURES OF PUBLIC FUNDS FOR PUBLIC
HEALTH AND SAFETY, FIRE AND ACCIDENT PROTECTION, AND
OTHER PUBLIC SERVICES AND FACILITIES; 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/OR THE EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO ASSIST
IN SECURING THE PRODUCTION OF SUCH HOUSING ARE,
THEREFORE, NOT COMPETITIVE WITH PRIVATE ENTERPRISE; AND
THAT THE NECESSITY FOR SUCH CONSTRUCTION AND THE
EXPENDITURE OF PUBLIC FUNDS IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST, FOR
THE PROVISIONS HEREINAFTER ENACTED, ARE HEREBY DECLARED
AS A MATTER OF LEGISLATIVE DETERMINATION TO BE VALID
PUBLIC PURPOSES.

(B)    THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY, IN
ADDITION TO THE POWERS ENUMERATED IN THIS ARTICLE, SHALL
HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO EXERCISE ALL OR ANY PART OR
COMBINATION OF SUCH POWERS TO PROVIDE FOR HOUSING OR
HOUSING PROJECTS FOR PERSONS OF ELIGIBLE INCOME.

(C)    IN ADDITION TO THE POWERS ENUMERATED IN THIS
ARTICLE AND ANY POWERS GIVEN BY LOCAL LAW, THE HOUSING
AUTHORITY OF BALTIMORE CITY, IN PROVIDING HOUSING FOR
PERSONS OF ELIGIBLE INCOME IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUBSECTION

(B) ABOVE, SHALL HAVE THE FOLLOWING POWERS:

(1) WITHIN ITS AREA OF OPERATION: TO MAKE
MORTGAGE LOANS AND MAKE RENT SUBSIDY PAYMENTS TO PERSONS
OF ELIGIBLE INCOME.