In recognition of the severe economic circumstances of certain longtime owner-occupants of residences who are faced with rising living costs and constantly increasing tax burdens in areas where real property values have risen markedly as a consequence of the renovation of other deteriorating residences or the construction of new residences, the General Assembly considers it to be a matter of sound public policy for counties having a population of 100,000 or more to adopt uniform special real property tax relief provisions in order to allow longtime owner-occupants of residences to remain in peaceful possession of their homes.