duties

duties Sec. 204. (a) The Commission shall undertake a comprehensive study and investigation of the factors contributing to the decline of city neighborhoods and of the factors necessary to neighborhood survival and revitalization. Such study and investigation shall include, but not be limited to— (1) an analysis of the impact of existing Federal, State, and local policies, programs, and laws on neighborhood survival and revitalization; (2) an identification of the administrative, legal, and fiscal obstacles to the well-being of neighborhoods; (3) an analysis of the patterns and trends of public and private investment in urban areas and the impact of such patterns and trends on the decline or revitalization of neighborhoods; (4) an assessment of the existing mechanisms of neighborhood governance and of the influence exercised by neighborhoods on local government; (5) an analysis of the impact of poverty and racial conflict on neighborhoods: (6) an assessment of local and regional development plans and their impact on neighborhoods; and (7) an evaluation of existing citizen-initiated neighborhood revitalization efforts and a determination of how public policy can best support such efforts. (b) The Commission shall make recommendations for modifications in Federal, State, and local laws, policies, and programs necessary to facilitate neighborhood preservation and revitalization. Such recommendations shall include, but not be limited to— (1) new mechanisms to promote reinvestment in existing city neighborhoods: 91 STAT. 58 (2) more effective means of community participation in local governance; (3) policies to encourage the survival of economically and socially diverse neighborhoods; (4) policies to prevent such destructive practices as blockbusting, redlining, resegregation, speculation in reviving neighbor-hoods, and to promote homeownership in urban communities; (5) policies to encourage better maintenance and management of existing rental housing; (6) policies to make maintenance and rehabilitation of existing structures at least as attractive from a tax viewpoint as demolition and development of new structures; (7) modification in local zoning and tax policies to facilitate preservation and revitalization of existing neighborhoods; and (8) reorientation of existing housing and community development programs and other tax and subsidy policies that affect neighborhoods, to better support neighborhood preservation efforts. (c) Not later than one year after the date on which funds first become available to carry out this title, the Commission shall submit to the Congress and the President a comprehensive report on its study and investigation under this subsection which shall include its findings, conclusions, and recommendations and such proposals for legislation and administrative action as may be necessary to carry out its recommendations.