N.Y. Social Services Law § 48: Legislative intent

§ 48. Legislative intent. The legislature finds that there are a

significant number of homeless and at-risk households living in

temporary and unstable conditions which would benefit from the provision

of a comprehensive assistance program. The legislature further finds

that the current system of providing services to such households would

be improved by ensuring that a broad range of flexible, individualized

assistance is available to stabilize households and to better meet

divergent local needs. The legislature, therefore, finds that state

financial assistance should be made available for the purpose of

providing supportive services designed to stabilize households by

attempting to avoid homelessness and, for those who are currently

homeless, by facilitating the transition form homelessness to permanent

housing.