Northwell Health’s Street Medicine team is working with the Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) to take part in the nationwide Point-In-Time Count of homeless individuals on January 27. This annual census, organized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and led locally by LICH, comes as federal budget cuts threaten to increase homelessness during winter.
LICH collaborates with various nonprofits in the region to address homelessness through housing access and other support services. According to Mike Giuffrida, associate director at LICH, about 400 people are currently living without shelter on Long Island each night. He warned that this number could rise by 50% or more in the coming months due to anticipated reductions in federal funding.
“These programs are starting to close in the dead of winter — that’s a death sentence for people forced onto the streets,” said Mr. Giuffrida. He added that since 2018, LICH has helped about 240 Long Islanders move from the streets into supportive housing, but these individuals now face possible eviction. “This is more than a policy shift. Politics aside, there’s a level of cruelty here.”
Each year, approximately 10,000 Long Islanders experience homelessness—a situation made worse by increasing costs and an ongoing regional housing crisis. People experiencing homelessness are at greater risk for chronic health conditions, mental health challenges, and substance use disorders. To qualify for housing assistance in Nassau or Suffolk counties, applicants must often complete physical exams or psychiatric evaluations and provide documentation of disabilities when needed.
Northwell’s Street Medicine team plays a role in addressing these issues by providing care directly to those living on the streets. The volunteer group began field work nearly two years ago and has traveled roughly 4,000 miles across 60 communities, conducting over 300 patient encounters and helping 16 clients secure housing.
“Housing is health. Our Street Medicine program is a direct manifestation of Northwell’s mission to extend care beyond hospital walls and meet our most vulnerable neighbors where they are, understanding that physical well-being is inextricably linked to stable living conditions,” said Debbie Salas-Lopez, MD, executive vice president of the Institute for Community Health and Wellness at Northwell. “This Point-In-Time Count highlights the urgent need to address homelessness as a critical public health crisis, especially with impending federal cuts threatening to compound an already dire situation for thousands of Long Islanders.”
Homelessness on Long Island remains largely invisible despite its prevalence; many live in locations such as parking lots or wooded areas near busy roads. The Street Medicine team provides support for ongoing health concerns—such as arranging specialist appointments or prescribing medication—and assists patients with accessing health insurance coverage they may already be eligible for.
