About
NYC Health + Hospitals recognizes that the chronic health issues of homeless individuals cannot be treated without stable housing.
Our Housing for Health initiative was created to move patients experiencing homelessness into permanent housing to improve their health and wellbeing.
Read Jesus’s journey from homelessness to an apartment in Queens
Annually, nearly 6% of patients, or approximately 50,000 New Yorkers, are unstably housed and experiencing homelessness.
NYC Health + Hospitals has developed several initiatives to improve health care access for these vulnerable patients, while increasing pathways to temporary and permanent housing.
Housing is fundamental to good health. Patients with chronic conditions cannot manage their condition without a safe and stable place to live. Housing for Health is our investment in these patients’ health outside of the hospital walls: to a safe, stable place to live so they can focus on their health.Mitch Katz, MD
President & CEO, NYC Health + Hospitals
Our Programs
Housing Location and Placement Services
We offer patients experiencing homelessness housing location and placement services. These services provide patients with one-on-one support throughout their housing journey to a permanent home. Patients receive support in finding and applying for permanent housing that best meets their needs.
Medical Respite
We provide temporary housing for our medically vulnerable patients experiencing homelessness who are cleared to discharge from an acute care facility, but still require access to care not available in shelter. Respite services allow patients to rest, recover, and heal in a safe environment with access to medical services and intensive housing case management.
On-Site Social Services
We partner with community-based organizations to provide on-site social services in permanent housing so that patients can stabilize and thrive in their new home.
Affordable and Supportive Housing
We dedicate our land for the development of supportive and affordable housing to better serve our patients and the communities we care for.
Strategic Collaboration
We work in close collaboration with City and State housing and homelessness agencies to serve our most vulnerable patients.
Partners
The NYC Health + Hospitals Housing for Health Initiative is supported by strategic partnerships with community-based organizations, affordable housing developers, and city agencies including:
NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
NYC Housing Development Corporation
NYC Department of Social Services
Press Releases
Housing for Health Initiative Marks Milestone with 600 Patients Placed in Housing (May 18, 2023)
Press Coverage
News 12: NYC Health + Hospitals helps homeless patients with medical respite program
Gothamist: Released from the hospital with nowhere to go? NY has a budding alternative.
Affordable Housing Finance: NYC Hospital System to Double Down on Affordable Housing
Politico: Housing Location and Placement Services
Queens Chronicle: City to turn former hospitals into homes
NBC 4 New York: NYC Unveils New Housing Plan for Homeless People
Additional Media
The Remedy Podcast: Episode 6 – Caring for Homeless Patients