Crain’s: Affordable housing could replace Brooklyn hospital
January 26, 2024 The article outlines a plan to potentially replace a Brooklyn hospital at SUNY Downstate Medical Center with an affordable housing project as part of a broader campus transformation initiative announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. The restructuring includes relocating inpatient services, some layoffs, and a $300 million investment in a new outpatient facility. SUNY Chancellor John King highlights the community’s dire need for housing and suggests that the state-owned land could serve dual purposes, providing both residential space for hospital employees and community members, and possibly a public wellness facility. This plan comes amid financial struggles for the hospital, which operates at a significant deficit and underutilizes its available beds. The proposal aims to address both the housing crisis and healthcare access in Central Brooklyn, balancing the need for quality healthcare services with the urgent demand for affordable housing.