(a) It is the intent of the Legislature to accomplish both of the following:
(1) To prevent the unnecessary separation of children from their families because of homelessness or the lack of adequate shelter.
(2) To assist in the reunification of foster children and their families when housing remains a problem.
(b) The department may, upon the request of a local public entity, provide technical assistance for the purpose of developing applications and plans from the local public entity for federal funding under the Section 8 housing certificate program created by Section 553 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (P.L. 101-625).
(c) As used in this section, “Section 8” means Section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (Sec. 1437 et seq., Title 42, U.S.C.).