42 U.S.C. § 5301 — Congressional findings and declaration of purpose

the growth of population^* in metropolitan and other urban areas, and the concentration of persons of lower income in central cities;

inadequate public and private investment and reinvestment in housing and other physical facilities, and related public and social services, resulting in the growth and persistence of urban slums and blight and the marked deterioration of the quality of the urban environment; and

increasing energy costs which have seriously undermined the quality and overall effectiveness of local community and housing development activities.

systematic and sustained action by Federal, State, and local governments to eliminate blight, to conserve and renew older urban areas, to improve the living environment of low- and moderate-income families, and to develop new centers of population growth and economic activity;

substantial expansion of and greater continuity in the scope and level of Federal assistance, together with increased private investment in support of community development activities;

continuing effort at all levels of government to streamline programs and improve the functioning of agencies responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating community development efforts; and

concerted action by Federal, State, and local governments to address the economic and social hardships borne by communities as a consequence of scarce fuel supplies.

the elimination of slums and blight and the prevention of blighting influences and the deterioration of property and neighborhood and community facilities of importance to the welfare of the community, principally persons of low and moderate income;

the elimination of conditions which are detrimental to health, safety, and public welfare, through code enforcement, demolition, interim rehabilitation assistance, and related activities;

the conservation and expansion of the Nation’s housing stock^* in order to provide a decent home and a suitable living environment for all persons, but principally those of low and moderate income;

the expansion and improvement of the quantity and quality of community services, principally for persons of low and moderate income, which are essential for sound community development and for the development of viable urban communities;

a more rational utilization of land and other natural resources and the better arrangement of residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, and other needed activity centers;

the reduction of the isolation of income groups within communities and geographical areas and the promotion of an increase in the diversity and vitality of neighborhoods through the spatial deconcentration of housing opportunities for persons of lower income and the revitalization of deteriorating or deteriorated neighborhoods;

the restoration and preservation of properties of special value for historic, architectural, or esthetic reasons;

the alleviation of physical and economic distress through the stimulation of private investment and community revitalization in areas with population outmigration or a stagnating or declining tax base; and

the conservation of the Nation’s scarce energy resources, improvement of energy efficiency, and the provision of alternative and renewable energy sources of supply.

provides assistance on an annual basis, with maximum certainty and minimum delay, upon which communities can rely in their planning;

encourages community development activities which are consistent with comprehensive local and areawide development planning;

furthers achievement of the national housing goal of a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family; and

fosters the undertaking of housing and community development activities in a coordinated and mutually supportive manner by Federal agencies and programs, as well as by communities.