N.Y. MHA Law § 61

* § 61. Finding. It is hereby declared that in certain areas of\ncounties, cities and first class villages of the state there exist\nunsanitary or substandard housing conditions owing to over-crowding and\nconcentration of population, improper planning, excessive land coverage,\nlack of proper light, air and space, unsanitary design and arrangement,\nor lack of proper sanitary facilities; that there is not an adequate\nsupply of decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling accommodations for persons\nof low income; that these conditions cause an increase and spread of\ndisease and crime and constitute a menace to the health, safety, morals,\nwelfare, and comfort of the citizens of the state, and impair economic\nvalues; that these conditions cannot be remedied by the ordinary\noperation of private enterprise; that the clearance, replanning, and\nreconstruction of the areas in which unsanitary or substandard housing\nconditions exist and the providing of decent, safe, and sanitary\ndwelling accommodations in said areas and elsewhere for persons of low\nincome are public uses and purposes for which public money may be spent\nand private property acquired; and the necessity in the public interest\nfor the provisions hereinafter enacted is hereby declared as a matter of\nlegislative determination.\n * NB The text of Article 5 of the former State Housing Law (cited\nherein as the "Municipal Housing Authorities Law"), as such article\nexisted immediately prior to its repeal pursuant to section 227 of\nChapter 808 of the Laws of 1939, is provided here for ease of reference\nand historical purposes as such text continues to be applicable for the\nNew York City Housing Authority pursuant to the provisions of section\n401 of the current Public Housing Law.\n