§ 54-56. Findings; initiation of program.

(a)

It is found that there are many residential properties within the corporate limits of the city that have become vacant through various processes. Many of these structures or sites have been abandoned by the tenants or owners who, for various reasons, have no longer found them acceptable for either habitation, ownership or economic purposes. It is found and declared that some of these properties have been and continue to be elements contributing to the deterioration of neighborhoods and the depreciation of property values in the neighborhood in which they are located. This situation leads to what constitutes a serious and growing menace injurious to the public health, safety, morals and welfare of the city residents. It is further found and declared that the existence of these vacant dwellings contributes substantially and increasingly to the spread of disease and crime, constitutes economic and social liability, substantially impairs or arrests the sound growth of urban areas and exacerbates a growing urban slum condition. It is found that this form of blight is present in the inner city to a much greater degree than it is in the outer city, although the condition is found to exist throughout the city. Many of the residential properties that have become vacant are rehabitable. They are not totally without economic use and, if rehabilitated, could house citizens who need housing as a result of a variety of reasons, among which are displacement by eminent domain proceedings and a lack of housing starts due to general economic conditions.

(b)

It is further found that many other urban centers throughout the United States have been confronted with problems similar to this and have developed systems of urban homesteading. These programs take various forms depending upon the applicable laws of the several states and local jurisdictions within which these programs are being carried out. Regardless of the laws governing the various programs of urban homesteading, the economic impact of rehabilitating homes alone is sufficient to justify a program of urban homesteading, notwithstanding the additional benefits procured through this program. Home ownership has been found to be beneficial to the maintenance of property. Expectation of home ownership has been found to be beneficial to the fruition of housing rehabilitation, and homes in private ownership that are rehabilitated increase the tax base of a local government. A decrease in the providing of certain public services, such as police and fire protection, is an additional and indirect benefit to be derived from the rehabilitation of housing.

(c)

It is in consequence of these legislative findings stated in subsections (a) and (b) of this section that the city enters into this urban homesteading program, which is declared to be a governmental function undertaken in the public interest.

(Code 1977, § 8-5021)