N.Y. Social Services Law § 41: Legislative findings and purpose

§ 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.