Referendum 37 was approved by Washington voters in November 1979 and provides $25 million to be shared among counties according to their populations as a proportion of the total state population. Funds are intended to finance capital costs of "facilities for the care, training and rehabilitation of persons with sensory, physical or mental handicaps." Five handicapped populations are included: blind, deaf, developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and physically handicapped. Seven types of facilities are specifically mentioned in the legislation: non-profit group training homes, community centers, close to home living units, sheltered workshops, developmental disability training centers, vocational rehabilitation centers, and community homes for the mentally ill. The Referendum 37 Regional needs Assessment provides an assessment of the needs of handicapped populations in each of Washington's countries for specific kinds of facilities identified in Referendum 37.