§ 41. Legislative findings and purpose. The legislature hereby finds
that large numbers of people in communities across our state are unable
to secure housing for themselves and are living in the streets or in
emergency shelters, despite current efforts by public and private
agencies to provide adequate housing for those in need; that the present
condition is contrary to the public interest and threatens the health,
safety, welfare, comfort and security of the people of the state; that
communities across the state must each do their share to assist the
homeless; and that the public interest requires that state financial
assistance be provided to construct or rehabilitate housing units for
the homeless in communities throughout New York state and to explore
alternative means of meeting their long-term housing needs, consistent
with the fiscal constraints faced by New York state. The legislature,
therefore, finds that a special fund should be established, to fund
capital programs sponsored by not-for-profit corporations, charitable
organizations, wholly owned subsidiaries of not-for-profit corporations
or of charitable organizations, public corporations and municipalities
that will expand and improve the supply of shelter and other housing
arrangements for homeless persons.