The Legislature hereby finds and determines that there currently exists a significant need for health, nursing, medical, rehabilitative and related housing structures for those residents of this state who have served their state and nation in its armed forces. The Legislature further finds and determines that in order to meet this need, it is necessary for there to be established a state veterans’ home or homes to be operated by the State Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and to vest in such department those powers and authority that may be necessary to enable it to accomplish the establishment and operation of a state veterans’ home or homes. This chapter shall be liberally construed in conformity with the purposes expressed.