Corpus Christi faces rising homelessness crisis as residents push for housing solutions

Corpus Christi faces a rising homelessness crisis, intensifying calls for urgent housing solutions as community leaders highlight its economic impact amid an ongoing water crisis.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — All eyes are on Corpus Christi as city officials navigate the ongoing water crisis, but another serious issue may be on the rise.

Local residents are now turning their attention to homelessness, emphasizing that the need for housing has become more urgent than ever.

From living on the streets to working at Mother Teresa Shelter, James Newton said having a home can make a big difference.

“Can you imagine going from sleeping on concrete, getting bitten by ants, mosquitoes or whatever else is out there, to waking up in a bed with a roof over your head?” Newton said.

Newton calls himself a living testimony. He was homeless 15 years ago but said nonprofits like Mother Teresa Shelter, the Free Store, the Salvation Army and others helped him transition off the streets. Still, he said stronger housing support could have made that step forward easier.

Now, he’s fighting to provide that support for others.

“Corpus Christi is in a situation where we need to develop some sort of plan for affordable housing. It’s working in other cities,” Newton said. “We want to work with our City Council members to see what we can implement here to get our friends and fellow residents into housing.”

And he’s not the only one.

“Right now, the perception of our city is that we are failing — and it’s not just with water management,” said Marilena Garza, CEO and founder of the Free Store Corpus Christi.

Garza, also a business owner, said the rise in homelessness is affecting the local economy.

“People who’ve invested in this area are seeing their home values drop because of the water crisis and homelessness. People don’t want to come here. They say Corpus Christi is too rough, and they leave,” Garza said.

She said solutions exist, but the city needs to act.

“I mean transitional housing, temporary housing, semi-permanent and permanent housing — all of that is different,” Garza said. “Some of that means more shelters. Right now, we’re at max capacity. The Purple Door can only take so many people. It’s the same with Good Samaritan and the Salvation Army.”

In 2024, the city cut funding and staff for homelessness programs. Unhoused Programs Administrator Amanda Rodriguez is still advocating for the community and said future housing solutions will require collaboration.

“I don’t know if government alone is the answer,” Rodriguez said. “There could be discussions with our local HUD-designated continuum of care partner to strengthen our homeless coalition and better assist our unhoused community.”

Newton said he’s not giving up.

“There’s been an increase because local shelters can only do so much and house so many people,” he said. “Before it gets out of hand, let’s get a grasp on this, Corpus Christi. Let’s show our community we care and set an example for other cities.”