36-2 - Findings and declaration of necessity. - Virginia Statutes

§ 36-2. Findings and declaration of necessity.

A. It is hereby found and declared that:

1. Blighted areas exist in the Commonwealth, and these areas endanger thehealth, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth;

2. The elimination of blight and redevelopment of blighted areas through thedesignation of redevelopment areas and the adoption and implementation ofredevelopment plans for such areas; the prevention of further deteriorationand blight through the designation of conservation areas and the adoption andimplementation of conservation plans for such areas; and the designation ofindividual properties as blighted under the "spot blight" provisions ofthis chapter are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spentand private property acquired by purchase or through the exercise of thepower of eminent domain as authorized by this chapter, and are governmentalfunctions of grave concern to the Commonwealth;

3. As a part of a redevelopment or conservation plan, it is a public purposeto provide public facilities including, but not limited to, roads, water,sewers, parks, and real estate devoted to open-space use as that term isdefined in § 58.1-3230 within redevelopment and conservation areas; and

4. It is a public purpose to promote the availability of affordable housingfor all citizens of the Commonwealth and in particular to provide safe,decent, and sanitary housing for those citizens with low or moderate incomes.To that end, (i) the clearance, replanning, and reconstruction of the areasin which unsanitary or unsafe housing conditions exist and the providing ofsafe and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons of low or moderateincome and (ii) the sale or lease of land and the acquisition, construction,rehabilitation, and operation of residential housing units for persons of lowand moderate incomes are necessary for the public welfare and are public usesand public purposes for which public money may be spent and private propertyacquired by purchase or through the exercise of the power of eminent domainas authorized in this chapter and are governmental functions of grave concernto the Commonwealth.

B. The necessity and the public purpose for the provisions hereinafterenacted are hereby declared as a matter of legislative determination.

(1938, p. 447; Michie Code 1942, § 3145(2); 2006, c. 784.)