New Bridge to Home Facility Opens in Brooklyn to Support Mental Health Patients

The Bridge to Home program aims to provide stability for patients who are ready to leave the public hospital system but lack safe housing. Instead of being directed to shelters or living on the streets, patients will reside in a supportive environment that includes medical services and help with housing applications.

"Recovery should not end at the hospital doors, and no New Yorker should have to choose between getting the care they need and having a safe place to call home," said Mayor Mamdani. He emphasized the importance of the program in promoting dignity and support for recovering individuals.

Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga highlighted the program’s dual commitment to enhancing access to quality mental healthcare and stable housing. Following the success of the first site in Manhattan, this expansion aims to serve a broader population of New Yorkers.

Dr. Mitchell Katz, President and CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals, noted the program’s effectiveness in helping patients stay engaged in treatment and successfully secure permanent housing. The Brooklyn site, located near NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, will begin welcoming guests this week and will allow them to stay for up to 12 months or until they find permanent housing.

The original Bridge to Home site opened in Midtown Manhattan in September 2025 and has demonstrated strong engagement with clinical and housing services, with 80% of current guests attending weekly clinical visits and 70% completing housing applications. Witnessing the success of the Manhattan site, officials expressed enthusiasm for replicating this model in Brooklyn, where it can now assist nearly 100 New Yorkers.

NYC Health + Hospitals, as the largest provider of behavioral health services in the city, aims to address housing instability that often complicates recovery. The Bridge to Home initiative intends to reduce unnecessary emergency visits and hospitalizations, thereby fostering long-term stability for its guests.

Medical professionals at the facility stressed the importance of a stable living situation for effective recovery. Dr. Ted Long, Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, described the successful support system in place, which helps patients seamlessly transition from hospital care to independent living.

The opening was met with support from multiple city officials, including Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie, and Council Member Crystal Hudson, all of whom emphasized the critical link between housing and health care.

The new facility is expected to significantly enhance the behavioral health infrastructure in Brooklyn, further ensuring that New Yorkers with severe mental health challenges receive the care and support necessary for recovery and reintegration into the community.