Watch the full film, Beyond Homeless: Finding Hope.

Starting with numbers of the homeless similar to San Francisco’s, Bexar County, thanks to Haven’s remarkable collaboration, involving virtually every cross-sector of the community—including police and fire departments, emergency services, hospitals, psychiatric providers, and all other homeless service providers—has achieved an 11% decline in homelessness, with a 77% decline in downtown San Antonio unsheltered homelessness.

Over the same period, San Francisco’s homelessness increased 80%, while spending has grown more than 100%.

Introduced by David J. Theroux (Founder and President, Independent Institute), this very timely and compelling video features the trailer for the documentary and then the link to the full film, followed by a panel of many of the experts featured in the film to discuss the root causes of homelessness and how to mobilize communities to enact real solutions.

MODERATOR:

• Heather Knight is an award-winning columnist for the “San Francisco Chronicle,” who has written extensively on homelessness.

PANELISTS

• Scott Ackerson is a Licensed Master Social Worker and the former Campus Director of Haven for Hope of Bexar County in San Antonio, TX.

• Gabriel Baldinucci is CEO and Chairman of the Urban Vision Alliance, who has over 20 years previous experience building start-ups, including at Singularity and the Virgin Group.

• Theo Ellington is Director of Homelessness Initiatives and Community Development at The San Francisco Salvation Army, where he leads the strategy and implementation of the Army’s redevelopment of its properties to realize “The Way Out” initiative.

• Adam Summers is a Research Fellow at the Independent Institute, and Editor of our Policy Report and forthcoming book, Beyond Homeless: Good Intentions, Bad Outcomes, Transformative Solutions.

• Mary Theroux is Senior Vice President at the Independent Institute, and Executive Director of the Beyond Homeless initiative. She is the former Chair and currently serves on the boards of both the San Francisco and Alameda County Salvation Army, as well as being a member of the Army’s National Board.

• Paul Webster served as Senior Policy Advisor in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, with a specific focus on homelessness assistance programs, and now heads up the Hope Street Coalition, with a special focus on homelessness, mental illness, and addiction.

• Thomas Wolf who was formerly homeless in the Tenderloin, and as a now recovering heroin addict, has become a strong advocate for a new approach to the homeless and drug crises in San Francisco and beyond.