The operating budget, as supporters highlighted Wednesday, puts $18 million in additional funding into affordable housing initiatives — a 40 percent increase — as well as $14 million more into public health programs, and other notable investments into food access, language access, and trauma response programs, among others.
In responding to calls to reallocate money set aside for the police budget, Walsh’s plan also cut $12 million, or approximately 20 percent, of the department’s overtime budget. The money will now be funneled into trauma and counseling services, mental health services, programs for minority and women-owned businesses, housing support, and $3 million for strategies being undertaken by the Public Health Commission in addressing racism as a public health crisis, among other efforts.