Page 6 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2021 Everett Police welcome Officer Palermo COVID-19 | FROM PAGE 5 Health and human services Building on the House’s longstanding commitment to support and protect community hospitals, the bill allocates $250 million for financially strained hospitals and $20 million for community health centers. This bill includes more than $250 million for behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment services, including $100 million for workforce initiatives with $15 million specifically for community health centers. The bill also includes over $150 million for local and regional public health systems. Other investments include Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie congratulated Officer Nicholas Palermo following his graduation from the Lowell Police Academy on October 29. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Police Department) more than $78 million to address food insecurity, $15 million for prison re-entry grants, $10 million for community-based gun violence–prevention programs, $6.5 million for coordination teams for triage treatment and service supports and post-treatment supportive housing in Boston and $5 million for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation to bolster access to legal services for the most vulnerable. Workforce development The bill includes $500 million towards providing premium pay bonuses for low- and middle-income workers who worked in person during the COVID-19 State of Emergency. To promote employment, the bill also includes $150 million to enhance workforce opportunities through workforce skills training as well as $100 million for vocational, career and technical schools. Affordable housing and homeownership The bill appropriates funds for affordable housing, with $150 million directed toward public housing maintenance and $150 million to create permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals, survivors of domestic violence, seniors and veterans. The bill also includes $100 million for homeownership assistance and $100 million for production and preservation of affordable rental housing for residents of municipalities disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Environment and climate change mitigation Building on the House’s commitment to the environment and clean energy, the bill includes investments for environmental infrastructure and development spending, with a focus on Environmental Justice (EJ) communities, climate change resiliency and clean energy. This bill includes $100 million for port infrastructure development and revitalization to facilitate economic activity and support the offshore wind industry. Other investments include $100 million toward infrastructure for communities to adapt and become climate resilient and $100 million for water and sewer projects, including those to remediate combined sewer overflow into waterways. Education To improve indoor air quality in schools and support healthy learning environments, this bill includes more than $100 million for grants to public school districts with high concentrations of low-income students, English language learners, and communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. This bill also includes the following: $75 million for capital and mainCOVID-19 | SEE PAGE 19
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