NYC's Hidden Homeless

The Floating Hospital (TFH) exists to fulfill the most basic and critical healthcare needs of thousands of families in New York City that live without homes, in shelters, domestic violence safe houses, and in temporary residency hotels. These families exist not on the fringes of society, but within and among all of us—the children attend public school and the parents work, yearn for their children’s health, safety and future, and dream of someday not being homeless.

Families, mainly women and children, represent the largest concentration of New York City’s homeless population. Roughly 46,000 adults and children in families will sleep in city shelters tonight according to New York City’s own calculations. Most people, however, largely believe that homelessness is represented by what is seen—the single men and women on the street. The families in shelters, the hidden homeless, are New York City’s greatest tragedy. They are priced out

of affordable living spaces. Many of the families are led by young women who have suffered from domestic violence, with the children as witness, or worse.

This free healthcare is provided by a special group of people. The Floating Hospital provides medical, dental, and mental healthcare and specialty services including cardiology, child psychiatry, podiatry and health education to one-quarter of NYC’s family homeless population every year at our Long Island City clinic and at a series of shelter-based clinics throughout the city. This free healthcare is provided by a special group of people. Shown here are just a few of the many dedicated doctors, nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, educators, outreach workers and many others that make The Floating Hospital a special home, a safe space and a way to get healthy and stay healthy for all of our families. These men and women are the heart of our work. ¨

Freddy Perez Health Educator

“We are all very emotionally there. We are aware of what we need to do in serving our people. We know we are all in the same boat, together….I wake up every day thinking about what I can do to help people today.”

Shani Andre, MD Vice President and Chief Medical Officer

“Families need a consistent source of primary care, and The Floating Hospital will follow them where ever they go. We provide transient families who are in homeless shelters or domestic violence shelters a source of constant care.”

Ivan Romero Director of Shelter Outreach

“Every day brings new challenges and an opportunity to make a mother feel safe and to put a smile on a child’s face.”

Carol Jackson Trustee

“I loved [The Floating Hospital] as a kid, and now I work hard for them as an adult. I know what it means to have good health services. I come from humble beginnings. But I am the woman who I am today thanks to them. I’m very proud to be affiliated with them and part of the Hospital.”

Sarajane Brittis, PHD Organizational Development Project Manager

“Hearing the story of someone going through a rough time, just being there to listen gives them hope…This is still a place where you can walk in and see people hugging each other.”

In early June, The Floating Hospital hosted its 9th Annual Summer Soiree—a party that was more than just a party. We raised precious funds to provide free healthcare to homeless families. You can be part of this important cause by donating to: www.thefloatinghospital.org/9th-annual-summer-soiree-donation/

By Hannah Stein, Executive Director, The Floating Hospital Foundation

Photographs by David Flores