§ 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.