Every city pays for homelessness. The question is whether you pay for the consequences or invest in solving it.

In this episode of Greater 210, host Joanna Weidman sits down with Rhonda Mundhenk, President and CEO of Haven for Hope, to talk about what it really takes to address homelessness at scale. Rhonda brings a career in healthcare law and underserved populations to one of San Antonio's most important nonprofits, and she makes the case that Haven's model is less about charity and more about smart community investment.

They cover Haven's 15-year track record, including 52,000 people served and a 65% rate of clients who never returned to any homeless service provider in Bexar County. Rhonda also explains what makes Haven a national model, why the business community's involvement is essential, and what the Chamber's new homelessness task force could mean for San Antonio's next chapter.

Chapters:

• (00:00) – Opening: Every City Pays for Homelessness
• (01:15) – Rhonda's Background: From Healthcare Law to Haven for Hope
• (04:14) – What Surprised Her Most: Human Resilience on Campus
• (06:35) – The Economic Case for Proactive Intervention
• (12:20) – What Makes Haven a National Model: The Five-Part Secret Sauce
• (15:08) – 86% of San Antonio's Unhoused Population Comes Through Haven's Doors
• (19:23) – 15 Years, 52,000 People Served, and a 65% Non-Return Rate
• (21:50) – The Chamber's Homelessness Task Force and the Goal for 2030
• (28:19) – How to Volunteer, Donate, and Get Involved

Links and Resources:

• Haven for Hope – https://www.havenforhope.org/
• Greater San Antonio Chamber – https://www.sachamber.org/

Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media