Protection & Advocacy Inc.

Advancing the Rights of Californians with Disabilities

LEGISLATION & PUBLIC
INFORMATION UNIT

1029 J Street, Suite 150
Sacramento CA 95814
Telephone: (916) 497-0331
Fax: (916) 497-0813
www.pai-ca.org

PAI Policy for Future Use of State Hospital and Developmental Center Lands

Adopted 6/19/1993

THE PROBLEM

The number of beds used at state hospitals and state developmental centers serving persons with mental and developmental disabilities has been declining and is expected to continue to decline.  State Hospital residents are being moved back to counties as a cost-reduction move by counties as the result of realignment.  The Department of Developmental Services plans on decreasing the number of developmental center residents by moving persons into community living arrangements.  The decreasing populations, the value of state hospital lands, and the state budget crisis makes these lands especially vulnerable to sale or lease with the money from these lands going to the general state budget and not to programs which serve persons with disabilities.

PRINCIPLES

The principles are meant to be guidelines for the use of these resources if the state proposes to lease or sell land.

1.          Any funds generated through the sale, lease or any other revenue-producing use of state hospital or developmental center lands should be used only for the provision of services for persons with mental or developmental disabilities.  Under no circumstances should these funds revert to general state fund use.

2.          If the state hospital or developmental center lands are sold, the revenues generated should be used for the purchase of appropriate community-based housing serving the long-term residential needs of persons with mental or developmental disabilities.  This would enhance the State's ability to provide quality housing for persons with disabilities.

3.     A special fund should be established by the State to coordinate all funds generated by any sale or lease of state hospital or developmental center lands to assure that these funds shall be used only for serving persons with mental or developmental disabilities.

Policy #1004.01

Adopted 6/19/1993