§ 157-2. Finding and declaration of necessity. - North Carolina Statutes

§ 157‑2.  Findingand declaration of necessity.

(a)        It is hereby declared that unsanitary or unsafe dwellingaccommodations exist in urban and rural areas throughout the State and thatsuch unsafe or unsanitary conditions arise from overcrowding and concentrationof population, the obsolete and poor condition of the buildings, improperplanning, excessive land coverage, lack of proper light, air and space,unsanitary design and arrangement, lack of proper sanitary facilities, and theexistence of conditions which endanger life or property by fire and othercauses; that in such urban and rural areas many persons of low income areforced to reside in unsanitary or unsafe dwelling accommodations; that in suchurban and rural areas there is a lack of safe or sanitary dwellingaccommodations available to all the inhabitants thereof and that consequentlymany persons of low income are forced to occupy overcrowded and congesteddwelling accommodations; that these conditions cause an increase in and spreadof disease and crime and constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals andwelfare of the citizens of the State and impair economic values; that theseconditions cannot be remedied by the ordinary operation of private enterprise;that the clearance, replanning and reconstruction of such areas and theproviding of safe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of lowincome are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent andprivate property acquired; that it is in the public interest that work on suchprojects be instituted as soon as possible; and that the necessity for theprovisions hereinafter enacted is hereby declared as a matter of legislativedetermination to be in the public interest.

(b)        It is hereby further declared that there is a seriousshortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing in North Carolina that can beafforded by persons and families of moderate income; that it is in the bestinterest of the State to encourage programs to provide housing for such personswithout imposing on them undue financial hardship; and that in undertaking suchprograms a housing authority is promoting the health, welfare and prosperity ofall citizens of the State and is serving a public purpose for the benefit ofthe general public. (1935, c. 456, s.2; 1938, Ex. Sess., c. 2, s. 14; 1941, c. 78, s. 2; 1987, c. 464, s. 1.)