Section 50680

(a) The Legislature finds and declares that recent deemphasis of programs of institutional care for persons with developmental and physical disabilities and persons with mental health disorders has resulted in participation by many of those persons in programs of rehabilitation, education, and social services within the community. Because of the outpatient status of persons enrolled in those programs, there is a need to provide housing for them that will aid in accomplishment and maintenance of the objectives of those programs, thereby minimizing the numbers of persons with developmental and physical disabilities and persons with mental health disorders in public institutions and improving the quality of life for those persons. In order to assist in providing the variety of living arrangements required for this purpose, it is necessary that the state cooperate with cities, counties, cities and counties, and nonprofit corporations in obtaining federal housing subsidies therefor.

(b) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to vest in the department authority to obtain federal housing subsidies for housing for persons requiring supportive services, as defined in this part.