July 9 2026 – LeadingAge Southeast, the premier association serving high-quality senior living providers across the Southeast, commends Governor Ron DeSantis’ for his longstanding commitment to aging services as he concludes his final budget cycle as governor.
Throughout his tenure, the Governor has supported investments in long-term care, affordable housing, and programs that help older Floridians remain healthy, independent, and connected to their communities. The association also extends its appreciation to Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for the significant investments included in Florida’s Fiscal Year 2026–27 budget that strengthen care, housing, and services for older adults across the state.
The budget, which took effect July 1, reinforces Florida’s longstanding commitment to supporting older adults and the mission-driven providers who serve them. With meaningful investments in nursing home care, affordable housing, and home and community-based services, the state continues to prioritize programs that help older adults live with dignity, independence, and access to high-quality care.
“We thank Governor DeSantis, Senate President Ben Albritton, House Speaker Daniel Perez, and members of the Florida Legislature for their continued commitment to Florida’s older adults and the providers who care for them,” said Steve Bahmer, President & CEO of LeadingAge Southeast. “This year’s budget demonstrates a strong recognition of the importance of investing across the continuum of aging services—from nursing homes and affordable housing to home and community-based care. We appreciate the Governor’s leadership and the Legislature’s partnership in making older adults a priority throughout his administration.”
Key investments impacting LeadingAge Southeast members include:
- Nursing Home Medicaid Funding: An additional $173.5 million in Medicaid funding for nursing homes, including recurring enhancements that help offset expiring dollars. LeadingAge Southeast successfully advocated for restoring these funds and directing additional investments to Florida’s Medicaid Quality Incentive Program, reinforcing the state’s commitment to rewarding high-quality care.
- Affordable Housing: Full funding of Florida’s affordable housing trust funds for the sixth consecutive year, including $70.8 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program and $165.7 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program.
- Home and Community-Based Services: Increased funding to help older adults remain safely at home, including:
- $3 million to expand Alzheimer’s respite care services and reduce waitlists.
- $4 million to serve additional older adults through the Community Care for the Elderly Program.
- $3.5 million for the Home Care for the Elderly Program, supporting caregiver respite, adult day care, home-delivered meals, and minor home modifications.
As Florida’s older adult population continues to grow, the association looks forward to building on this year’s progress to ensure older adults have access to the high-quality care, housing, and services they deserve.
About LeadingAge Southeast
Established in 1963, LeadingAge Southeast is the premier association serving high-quality senior living providers across the continuum of care in Florida, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The Association provides up-to-date regulatory information, a wide variety of educational opportunities, representation before the Legislature and government agencies, group purchasing services, and opportunities for networking with peers to help member communities best serve the needs of older adults.