Since many mentally retarded and mentally disabled individuals are able to live in the community with some assistance, it is the public policy of the state of Rhode Island to establish community residences in residential areas. Therefore, any restrictive covenant or other private legal impediment which directly or indirectly prevents or restricts the establishment of licensed community residences as defined in § 40.1-24-1 for eight (8) or fewer mentally retarded or mentally disabled persons shall be void and unenforceable as to those community residences.