The Floating Hospital Receives $50,000 Grant from Direct Relief to Maintain Its Status as a Queens-Based Safety Net

The Floating Hospital received $50,000 in emergency grant funding from the medical aid organization, Direct Relief, in partnership with the National Association of Community Health Centers.

The Floating Hospital, whose main clinic is in Long Island City, will use the funds to help its efforts as the Queens community hub in the fight against coronavirus.

The funding will also support The Floating Hospital’s fleet of minibuses. To maintain social distancing, the minibuses bring just one family at a time from the city’s homeless shelters, increasing the number of trips. Additionally, they are used to ensure the safety of staff by bringing them directly to and from their homes, avoiding the uncertainty of public transport. The increased maintenance costs of this make the funding a welcome help.

The Floating Hospital is one of the federally qualified health centers receiving funding through Direct Relief’s $25 million Covid-19 Fund for Community Health. It recognizes the profound effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the finances, services, staff, and patients of these important institutions.

Dr. Shani Andre, The Floating Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer said: “We’re incredibly grateful to Direct Relief and the National Association of Community Health Centers for the grant. It ensures that we can continue our role as a safety net for New York City, and especially our community here in Queens.”

Since 1866, The Floating Hospital is the largest provider of healthcare to homeless families. We provide free and secure transport to and from over 300 shelters and domestic violence safe houses throughout New York City.

The Floating Hospital operates a main clinic in Long Island City. Additionally, we have satellite clinics at shelters, public housing, and assessment centers throughout the city.