P.R. Laws tit. 17, § 155
It is hereby determined and declared that the existence and occupation of dwellings in Puerto Rico which are inadequate for residential purposes is contrary to the welfare, and prejudicial and hurtful to the health, safety, and morals of the people of Puerto Rico, and that it is a public necessity to repair or eliminate such dwellings. Whenever any housing authority organized and operating under the provisions of §§ 31—38, 39—45, 46—55 of this title, determines that there are, within its respective area of operations, unoccupied dwellings or those soon to be unoccupied, which are inadequate for residential purposes, due to their ruinous condition, defects which increase the risk of fires, accidents, or other calamities, lack of ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities, or due to other conditions which make such dwellings unsafe and unhygienic, and prejudicial and harmful to health, safety, or morals, or which in any other manner are contrary to the welfare of the residents of such areas of operation, it shall immediately give written notice of such determinations and conditions to the Secretary of Health.
History —May 7, 1941, No. 128, p. 848, § 1.