[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 24, Volume 3]
[Revised as of April 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 24CFR597.102]

[Page 296]
 
                 TITLE 24--HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
 
  CHAPTER V--OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNITY PLANNING AND 
        DEVELOPMENT, DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
 
PART 597_URBAN EMPOWERMENT ZONES AND ENTERPRISE COMMUNITIES: ROUND 
ONE DESIGNATIONS--Table of Contents
 
                       Subpart B_Area Requirements
 
Sec. 597.102  Tests of pervasive poverty, unemployment and general distress.

    (a) Pervasive poverty. Pervasive poverty shall be demonstrated by 
the nominating entities by providing evidence that:
    (1) Poverty is widespread throughout the nominated area; or
    (2) Poverty has become entrenched or intractable over time (through 
comparison of 1980 and 1990 census data or other relevant evidence); or
    (3) That no portion of the nominated area contains any component 
areas of an affluent character.
    (b) Unemployment. Unemployment shall be demonstrated by:
    (1) Data indicating that the weighted average rate of unemployment 
for the nominated area is not less than the national average rate of 
unemployment; or
    (2) Evidence of especially severe economic conditions, such as 
military base or plant closings or other conditions which have brought 
about significant job dislocation within the nominated area.
    (c) General distress. General distress shall be evidenced by 
describing adverse conditions within the nominated urban area other than 
those of pervasive poverty and unemployment. A high incidence of crime, 
narcotics use, homelessness, abandoned housing, and deteriorated 
infrastructure or substantial population decline, are examples of 
appropriate indicators of general distress.