For age-friendly community coalitions and stakeholders engaged in housing issues, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) recently launched the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), a new funding mechanism to disburse state and federal funding resources for tenants and landlords to avoid evictions and maintain household stability throughout the COVID-19 emergency. Continue reading
New estimates from the 2020 Elder Index from the Center for Social and Demographic Research on Aging at UMass-Boston shows that living expenses are high in
metropolitan areas across the U.S., and many older singles and couples lack the resources
needed to get by in their communities. Continue reading
In the past week, the state has announced the latest grant awards for MassDOT’s Shared Winter Streets and Spaces program, Affordable Housing Development, and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) – all of which include multiple projects that support older adults.
All of the following award announcements are great examples for age- and dementia friendly communities looking to address housing, transportation and community services.
In addition to some timely funding opportunities, the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative is sharing some other upcoming virtual training and support opportunities. Continue reading
The Baker Administration announced a targeted outreach initiative in 20 cities and towns most disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and $1M to the MA League of Community Health Centers to support vaccination in historically underserved communities.
The Administration also announced separately that individuals ages 65 and older, individuals living with two or more medical conditions that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and residents and staff of senior affordable housing are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Massachusetts. With this announcement, almost 1 million individuals are newly eligible for vaccine. Continue reading
The RRF Foundation for Aging, which supports the Elder Economic Security Index from UMass-Boston, among other related projects, released an issue brief with data highlighting the importance of addressing economic security for older adults. Continue reading
The AARP Livable Communities team, which builds resources to support age-friendly community efforts, has released a pair of resources to promote local policy improvements that can help older adults age in community and make public spaces more inclusive. Continue reading
Massachusetts Service Alliance – Due Date: Feb. 5th
In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic crisis, The Massachusetts Service Alliance (MSA) announces the release of a second Request for Proposals for COVID-19 relief efforts. MSA seeks to award grants of up to $4,000 to support volunteer community service projects and volunteer capacity-building initiatives needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading
A new report from The Fenway Institute finds that older LGBTQ adults in the Commonwealth report being diagnosed with depression at twice the rate of their straight, cisgender peers, and are twice as likely to fall and be injured in a fall over the past year.
It also finds that while older LGBTQ adults are more likely to hold a college degree, they are more likely to report having had difficulty paying for housing or food over the past year. LGBTQ older adults living in rural areas of the state expressed concern about the lack of options for LGBTQ-affirming health care, as well as their on-going experiences with strong anti-LGBTQ prejudice and harassment in public settings and senior housing. Continue reading
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