New York City has just gained 93 new units of affordable and supportive housing specifically designed to address the critical needs of homeless individuals, low-income seniors, and other low-income New Yorkers. In a joint announcement, Mayor Eric Adams, the head honcho of NYC Health + Hospitals Dr. Mitchell Katz, and HPD Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr. proudly cut the ribbon on the Woodhull II Residence, a hefty $41.5 million investment aimed at tackling the city's housing crisis head-on. The project is a beacon for the city's efforts to provide a stable living environment and access to healthcare for its most vulnerable residents.
The housing complex, located on the grounds of Woodhull Hospital, offers more than just a roof over one's head; it's one part of the Housing for Health initiative spearheaded by NYC Health + Hospitals, HPD, and the non-profit group Comunilife, which includes units both for supportive housing and plain-old affordable housing. Eligible NYC Health + Hospitals patients who have experienced homelessness will have 56 units reserved, getting not only a place to stay but also on-site services from Comunilife and medical attention from Woodhull Hospital, providing a unique partnership that addresses both housing and healthcare simultaneously.
According to a statement obtained by the Office of the Mayor, Adams bolstered New York City's standing as a family-friendly city, saying, "This investment of over $41 million will provide supportive and affordable housing to NYC Health + Hospitals patients experiencing homelessness, as well as to low-income seniors and low-income New Yorkers." Dr. Katz further emphasized the positive health effects of stable housing, noting that it "makes it easier to manage your blood pressure and diabetes, and living down the block from the hospital makes it easier to see your health care providers."
The housing strategy falls in line with Adams' plan dubbed "Housing Our Neighbors: A Blueprint for Housing and Homelessness," a broad stroke attempt to build new affordable units in the following years and across hospital lands, it's not just an isolated act but part of a bigger picture with Just Home in the Bronx and projects in Manhattan and Morrisania slated to break ground over the next year, aiming to create nearly 650 new affordable homes in five years. The proximity to health services is designed to reduce hospitalizations and ER visits, potentially offering a more effective solution than temporary shelters or disjointed social service offerings.
To the future residents, these apartments represent far more than just concrete and drywall. "My apartment is great. I love it,” told the Office of the Mayor Elvis Jordan, a patient of NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and a new resident of the Woodhull Phase II building. "It feels great to sleep in a bed." These amenities include 24-hour security, community spaces, and sustainable features like solar panels and energy-efficient appliances, further indicating that practical design can go hand-in-hand with environmental stewardship. The funding for this sanctuary for the city's homeless comes not only from the city's pocket but also through the support of various programs and a considerable investment courtesy of the 15/15 Supportive Housing Initiative.
Amid the hustle and bustle of one of the world's largest cities, the Woodhull II Residence stands as a testament to what can be achieved for the health and well-being of its citizens when healthcare provision and housing development collide—paving the way for a New York where the phrase "welcome home" extends to all. As New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar puts it in her praise of the project, "Together, we will provide the vital housing and healthcare infrastructure we need to support and uplift all New Yorkers, showing that hope is within reach for everyone."
