Apartment owners are seeking a restraining order to stop the Corpus Christi Housing Authority from voiding more than 50 low-income housing agreements across the city

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A legal battle over affordable housing in Corpus Christi is escalating as apartment complex owners move to block the Corpus Christi Housing Authority from canceling dozens of agreements that provide low-income housing across the city.

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3NEWS has learned that owners of 13 apartment complexes are in the process of filing a temporary restraining order asking a judge to stop the Housing Authority from voiding more than 50 affordable housing agreements previously approved to provide reduced-rent housing.

The request is now before Judge Jack Pulcher in the 105th Judicial District Court.

The Housing Authority board recently voted to cancel the 13 agreements, which allowed portions of existing apartment complexes to be designated as low-income housing in exchange for tax abatements and other incentives.

Apartment owners warn the decision could displace families and eliminate hundreds of affordable housing units.

“We are very disappointed and we are going to take action to keep the deals in place because we think they offer a great value to the community,” said Joe Bruggeman, an apartment owner involved in the program.

City and county leaders argue the issue is not affordable housing, but whether the agreements were lawfully approved. Deputy City Attorney Buck Brice told the Housing Authority board the contracts violated state law and public meeting requirements.

Apartment owners and property managers also warned the board of immediate consequences for tenants if the agreements are canceled.

Beth Hayes with Summit Apartments said dozens of families could lose their housing if the agreements are voided.

“If we were removed from this program, there are at least 65 families that would no longer qualify to live at the Summit and we would have to non-renew and displace them at the end of their lease term,” Hayes said.

Robert Martinez with Rockstar Management said the consequences could be severe for additional families across the city.

Housing Authority Commissioner Joe McComb said the board acted after concerns were raised about how the agreements were approved.

By canceling the agreements, the Housing Authority also exits a lawsuit filed by Nueces County alleging violations of the Texas Open Meetings Act.

Bruggeman said he is preparing to take the Housing Authority to court in an effort to reinstate the agreements.

The dispute unfolds as Corpus Christi continues to face a housing shortage, with tens of thousands of residents remaining on the Section 8 waiting list.

Whether the canceled agreements remain voided or are reinstated will now likely be decided by a judge.