The Congress affirms the national goal, as set forth in section 1441 of title 42, of “a decent home and a suitable living environment for every American family”.

The Congress finds that this goal has not been fully realized for many of the Nation's lower income families; that this is a matter of grave national concern; and that there exist in the public and private sectors of the economy the resources and capabilities necessary to the full realization of this goal.

The Congress declares that in the administration of those housing programs authorized by this Act which are designed to assist families with incomes so low that they could not otherwise decently house themselves, and of other Government programs designed to assist in the provision of housing for such families, the highest priority and emphasis should be given to meeting the housing needs of those families for which the national goal has not become a reality; and in the carrying out of such programs there should be the fullest practicable utilization of the resources and capabilities of private enterprise and of individual self-help techniques.

(Pub. L. 90–448, §2, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 476.)

This Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 90–448, Aug. 1, 1968, 82 Stat. 476, as amended, known as the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1968 Amendments note set out under section 1701 of this title and Tables.

Section was enacted as part of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, and not as part of the National Housing Act which comprises this chapter.

Assistance provided for in Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, National Housing Act, United States Housing Act of 1937, Housing Act of 1949, Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966, and Housing and Urban Development Acts of 1965, 1968, [see Short Title notes set out under section 1701 of this title], 1969, and 1970 not to be withheld or made subject to conditions by reason of tax-exempt status of obligations issued or to be issued for financing of assistance, except as otherwise provided by law, see section 817 of Pub. L. 93–383, set out as a note under section 5301 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Section 110 of Pub. L. 90–448 established the National Advisory Commission on Low Income Housing; provided for the appointment of members and the filling of vacancies; fixed the quorum number and the number necessary to conduct hearings; provided that the Commission study ways of bringing safe and sanitary housing to low income families, utilize services of private research organizations, and coordinate its investigation with the Banking and Currency Committees of the Senate and House; required that an interim report be submitted by July 1, 1969 and a final report by July 1, 1970; authorized the Commission or a subcommittee to hold hearings and to administer oaths and affirmations; directed executive branch departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to furnish information requested by the Commission; empowered the chairman, without regard to the provisions of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, governing appointments in the competitive service and relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates, to appoint and pay personnel as he deemed necessary and to procure temporary services, as is authorized by section 3109 of title 5, at rates up to $50 a day for individuals; provided that members appointed from the executive or legislative branch serve without compensation in addition to that received in their regular employment but be reimbursed for travel, subsistence, and necessary expenses incurred while performing duties for the Commission and that members other than those appointed from the executive or legislative branches be paid $75 a day plus travel, subsistence, and other necessary expenses while acting as members of the Commission; and directed that the Commission cease to exist 30 days after its final report.