(a) The Council finds and declares that the District of Columbia faces critical social, economic, and environmental problems arising in significant measures from:
(1) The concentration of poverty in areas of the city;
(2) Overcrowding and deterioration of housing, exacerbated by inadequate construction of new units for the growing number of households, and inadequate resources to provide for the rehabilitation of existing units for use by residents of the affected areas;
(3) Inadequate and inappropriate 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
(4) Lack of essential commercial facilities and services in many of the city’s communities; and
(5) Need to improve the overall quality of the urban environment for the people of the District of Columbia.
(b) The Council further finds and declares that the future welfare of the District of Columbia and the well-being of its citizens depend on the establishment and maintenance of the District of Columbia as a viable physical, social, economic, and political community, and require for the benefit of the communities being directly affected:
(1) Systematic and sustained action to eliminate blight, to conserve and renew aging urban neighborhoods, to improve the living environment of low and moderate income families, and to develop new residential and economic activity centers throughout the District;
(2) Substantial expansion of and greater continuity in the scope and level of federal and local financial assistance together with increased private investment in support of community development activities;
(3) Continuing effort at all levels of government to develop programs to meet identified needs and to improve the functioning of departments and agencies responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating community development efforts;
(4) Ongoing assistance to the secondary market for residential mortgages on housing for low-and moderate-income families by increasing the liquidity of mortgage investments and reinvesting investment proceeds for residential mortgage financing; and
(5) Management and liquidation of District of Columbia owned mortgage portfolios in an orderly manner in accordance with procurement requirements, with minimum loss to the District government.
(c) The primary objective of this subchapter is the maintenance and development of the District of Columbia as a viable urban community, by providing decent housing, a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities, principally for persons of low and moderate income. Consistent with this primary objective the subchapter provides for the support of community development activities which are directed toward the following specific objectives:
(1) 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;
(2) The elimination of conditions which are detrimental to health, safety, and public welfare and the establishment of programs to protect and improve the quality of the urban environment;
(3) The conservation and expansion of the District’s housing stock in order to provide a suitable living environment for all persons, principally those of low and moderate income;
(4) The expansion and improvement of the quantity and quality of community services, particularly for persons of low and moderate income, which are essential for sound community development and for the development of a viable urban community;
(5) A more rational utilization of land and the better arrangement of residential, commercial, industrial, recreational, and other needed activity centers;
(6) The reduction of the isolation of income groups within the community and the promotion of an increase in the diversity and vitality of neighborhoods through the expansion of housing opportunities for persons of low and moderate income, particularly those with large families;
(7) The restoration and preservation of properties of special value for historic, architectural, or esthetic reasons;
(8) The establishment of data-gathering, planning, policy, and program development which will ensure effective monitoring of and programming responsive to the changing numbers, characteristics, and needs of the people of the District of Columbia;
(9) The continuation of development activities in those areas previously covered by urban renewal or neighborhood development plans until completed; and
(10) Promote access to mortgage credit throughout the District of Columbia by increasing the liquidity of mortgage investments and improving the distribution of investment capital available for low-and moderate-income persons to acquire residential mortgage financing.
(d) Following the approval of a Community Development Program in such areas as the Council of the District of Columbia, upon recommendation of the Mayor, shall designate, the Mayor is authorized to prohibit any new construction in any area designated for this purpose as a community development area in a Community Development Program; new construction includes substantial remodeling, conversion, rebuilding, and enlargement or extension of major structural improvements on existing buildings, but does not include ordinary maintenance, remodeling, or changes necessary to continue occupancy.