Gov. Maura Healey signed a $55.98 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2024 that includes many items that are of interest to communities working to become more age- and dementia friendly, including an increased formula grant to councils on aging across the state. This funding will provide each municipality with $14 per elder per year, which was previously $12 in FY2023.
Among other items of interest to age- and dementia friendly communities:
- $15 million for fare-free pilot programs at Regional Transit Authorities
- Transportation funding to create a path for innovative service pilots and increased rural connectivity for regional transit authorities
- Supports the creation of the new Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
- $600,000 for the Massachusetts Downtown Initiative for municipalities looking to revitalize their downtowns
- $200 million for MBTA capital investments including station accessibility and improvements and design for the Red-Blue connector.
- $192 million from the Behavioral Health Trust Fund for one time programming aimed at recruiting and supporting a diverse behavioral workforce, including a $100 million enhancement to the Loan Repayment Program for mental and behavioral health professionals
- An increase of $44.6 million for behavioral health initiatives at the Department of Mental Health to expand inpatient and community capacity
More information can be found in the Governor’s announcement here.