The department may acquire, either in fee or in any lesser estate or interest, any unimproved or unoccupied real property, or real property not devoted primarily to residential use, to provide replacement housing for low-income individuals and families who reside in economically depressed areas and are displaced becuase of the acquisition or clearance of rights-of-way for a project on the state highway system, in order to enable them to live in decent, safe, and sanitary dwellings. All other property acquired for such purpose shall be acquired by means other than condemnation. The acquisition of such property is declared to be a public purpose and use.

(Added by Stats. 1968, Ch. 953.)