Public Hospitals in City Go Above and Beyond to Provide Housing for Patients
NYC Health + Hospitals has reached a significant milestone by securing permanent homes for over 1,200 of its patients and their families. This achievement has been made possible through a combination of supportive housing placements and the development of affordable apartments on the hospital system’s own land. The success of this initiative comes at a crucial time when Mayor Eric Adams has directed all city agencies to explore their property holdings for opportunities to build new housing.
Mayor Adams recently signed an executive order mandating every city agency to assess their property holdings for unused or underutilized public land that could be repurposed for residential development. This directive aims to address the city’s housing shortage, especially after rental vacancies hit a historic low last year. The mayor emphasized the importance of utilizing any available land for affordable housing, stating, “If there’s any land within the city’s control that has even the remotest potential to develop affordable housing, our administration will take action.”
One notable entity that has already been actively involved in providing housing for vulnerable populations is NYC Health + Hospitals. The public hospital system launched its Housing for Health program in 2022 to connect homeless New Yorkers receiving care in the city’s hospitals with stable housing options. This program offers various approaches to assist patients in securing permanent homes, including helping them find and apply for affordable and supportive apartments, providing short-term medical respite units for patients in need of recovery after hospital stays, and collaborating with the city’s housing agencies to develop homes on excess hospital land.
Leora Jontef, Assistant Vice President of Housing and Real Estate at Health + Hospitals, highlighted the strategic focus on housing patients, citing research that underscores the connection between stable housing and improved health outcomes. Approximately 6% of the hospital system’s patients, totaling around 50,000 individuals annually, are experiencing homelessness. Studies have shown that unhoused adults have significantly higher hospital and emergency room visit rates compared to the general population. Homelessness often stems from health crises, and the lack of stable housing can exacerbate existing health issues, making it challenging for patients to recover effectively.
Jontef emphasized the critical role of housing in addressing patients’ physical and mental health needs, stating, “Without a roof over your head, how do you address those things? You can’t. You don’t have a bedside table to put your medicine. After you’re housed, you can start addressing those other physical and mental issues to live a happier and healthier existence.”
In recent years, NYC Health + Hospitals has intensified its efforts to connect patients with housing opportunities on its own properties. The opening of the T Building in 2022 on the site of a former tuberculosis hospital at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens campus in Jamaica marked a significant milestone. This building offers 200 income-restricted apartments, with 75 units specifically allocated for formerly homeless patients who can access on-site case management for support services such as healthcare and financial literacy assistance.
Furthermore, there are plans for an additional 650 affordable apartments to be developed on other Health + Hospitals sites. Last year, the city commenced construction on a 93-unit building on the NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull campus in Brooklyn, with 56 supportive apartments designated for patients experiencing homelessness.
Expanding Housing Opportunities Through Health Care Facilities
Beyond the efforts of public hospitals, housing experts see a broader role that health care facilities could play in addressing the city’s housing needs. An analysis conducted by the NYU Furman Center revealed that there is approximately 25 million square feet of zoned Floor Area Ratio in health- and hospital-owned properties, both public and privately run, that are currently unused. If developed, this space could potentially accommodate 25,000 to 30,000 residential units, according to researchers.
Leora Jontef expressed the hospital system’s commitment to exploring future collaborations with the Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development to further leverage hospital land for affordable housing initiatives. She stated, “We’re in the process of thinking about what’s next, how can we collaborate with [the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development]? We’re really proud of using hospital land for this purpose.”
The intersection of healthcare and housing presents a unique opportunity to address the interconnected challenges of homelessness and health disparities in the city. By leveraging their resources and land assets, public hospitals like NYC Health + Hospitals are not only providing essential medical care but also playing a vital role in addressing the broader social determinants of health through housing initiatives. As the city continues to grapple with its housing crisis, innovative approaches that prioritize the well-being of vulnerable populations are essential for building a healthier and more equitable future for all New Yorkers.