New Jersey § 52:27d-367

§ 52:27d-367.

The Legislature finds that: a. A substantial number of housing units in New Jersey are in deteriorating condition,

many residents are living in dwelling units which do not conform to applicable local

codes and ordinances that are intended to ensure the health and safety of the occupants,

and this condition impedes the development and conservation of healthy, safe, and

viable communities in this State; b. The rehabilitation of suitable housing will increase its economic life, is 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, and is essential to promote sound community

development in this State; c. The amount of public resources currently available or likely to be available for

the rehabilitation and maintenance of marginal or substandard residential units is

grossly inadequate and if significant progress is to be made in reducing or eliminating

the stock of substandard housing in this State, it is imperative that the resources

of the private sector be utilized to their best effect; d. A partnership of State and local public agencies with private residential financing

institutions to coordinate and optimize their respective efforts is critical to any

serious attempt to conserve and protect existing housing, and, in this regard, the

neighborhood housing services program of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation

has distinguished itself as a highly effective mechanism for rehabilitating housing

and revitalizing declining neighborhoods by combining both public and private resources;

and e. The creation and expansion of neighborhood housing services programs within New

Jersey hold the promise of improving the quality of life in those neighborhoods beset

with problems associated with substandard housing and can serve as a model of an effective

and innovative approach to a remedy, which has traditionally been viewed as the exclusive

responsibility of the public sector, and by so improving the quality of life throughout

New Jersey and forging new methods of public-private cooperation will serve the interests

of all of the citizens of this State.