HARRY HUGHES, Governor

2189

(1)  That many residents of Maryland are living in
dwelling units which do not conform to building, health, safety,
fire, occupancy or other codes and standards applicable to
housing, THAT MANY COMMUNITIES OR POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS IN
MARYLAND DO NOT HAVE A MINIMUM LIVABILITY CODE and that [this
condition impedes] THESE CONDITIONS IMPEDE the development AND
MAINTENANCE of healthy, safe, and viable communities in Maryland;

(2)  That owner-occupants of housing in need of
rehabilitation are frequently of low income, that nonoccupant
owners of such housing frequently incur high risks in its
ownership and management, and that financing by the private
sector is therefore frequently not available to accomplish
necessary and desirable rehabilitation;

(3)  That the rehabilitation of suitable housing will
increase its economic life, is often more economical and less
disruptive than replacement of the housing and the relocation of
its occupants, can better promote community development when
conducted through organized housing rehabilitation programs, is
essential to promote sound community development in the State,
and can be facilitated by the rehabilitation of commercial
building serving communities where housing rehabilitation is
desirable;

(4)  That the rehabilitation of housing, the
development of healthy, safe, and viable communities in Maryland,
and the rehabilitation of commercial buildings to facilitate the
rehabilitation and development of housing are a proper public
purpose and State use for which public money may be expended and
property may be acquired; and

(5)  That the provision of healthy and safe housing
for migratory workers is necessary to maintain and expand the
agricultural activities dependent on this source of labor and is
a proper public purpose for which public money may be expended
and property may be acquired.

(6)  THAT THE SUPPLY OF HOUSING ADAPTED FOR USE BY
SPECIAL POPULATIONS, SUCH AS THE ELDERLY, THE HANDICAPPED, OR
OTHERWISE DISADVANTAGED CITIZENS OF MARYLAND IS INADEQUATE AND
THEREFORE IMPROVEMENTS, MODIFICATIONS AND ADDITIONS TO EXISTING
HOUSING WHICH INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF SUCH SPECIAL HOUSING IS
DESIRABLE AND A PROPER PUBLIC PURPOSE FOR WHICH PUBLIC MONEYS MAY
BE EXPENDED.

(7)  THAT LEAD PAINT IN OLDER HOUSING IS A MAJOR
SOURCE OF LEAD POISONING IN CHILDREN IN THIS STATE AND THE
PREVENTION OF LEAD POISONING BY MODIFYING SUCH HOUSING TO PROVIDE
A LEAD-SAFE ENVIRONMENT IS DESIRABLE, AND A PROPER PUBLIC PURPOSE
FOR WHICH PUBLIC MONEY MAY BE EXPENDED.

(8)  THAT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF HOUSING UNITS IN
MARYLAND LACK COMPLETE OR FUNCTIONAL INDOOR WATER SUPPLY AND
SEWAGE DISPOSAL PLUMBING SYSTEMS, AND THAT IMPROVEMENTS TO THOSE