Local groups say Corpus Christi’s homelessness crisis is worsening and are urging the city to expand housing support and funding through grants.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Local nonprofits say they are being pushed to the limit as the number of people experiencing homelessness in Corpus Christi continues to surge, following an 88% increase reported last year.

Several organizations appeared before City Council on Tuesday, urging leaders to take more direct action to ease what they describe as an overwhelming shortage of affordable housing and support services.

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Rhen Bass, interim president and CEO of the Corpus Christi Housing Authority, told council members that although the city recently provided a $1.4 million grant to fund 40 to 50 housing vouchers over the next three years, the need in the community far outweighs available resources.

“They provided a grant that we just executed with them, $1.4 million to provide approximately 40 to 50 vouchers for families for the next three years,” Bass said. “That’s about the only funding that we have received from the city, but we are very grateful for that. Unless there’s additional funds coming from HUD, we’re kind of capped at where we are now.”

Bass emphasized the growing disconnect between funding and need.

“Currently, our waiting list is right at around 38,000,” he said. “HUD provides us funding for approximately 3,500 vouchers. So that’s a big gap between what we can provide … and what the needs are in the city.”

HUD funding helps cover Section 8 housing assistance, but Bass noted that federal support alone cannot meet the demands of a city that had an estimated 1,200 unhoused people last year.

The Dismas Recovery Resource Center, which helps individuals facing homelessness and addiction, also urged the city to increase investment. Case manager Jennifer Nanez told council the city’s HHSP grant would help only a small fraction of the people seeking shelter.

“I have reached out to local churches to ask for deposits for rent and light connections,” Nanez said. “This system of relying on local charity is unsustainable for the scale of the crisis we are in here locally in Corpus.”

Bass, who has worked with public housing authorities across the country, said the mission remains deeply personal.

“The first home that I came to when I came into this world, in Pontiac, Michigan was public housing. I lived there. I understand the needs, and that’s why I have a passion for this job,” he said. “We are servant leaders in this community … to provide the best respectful dignity we can to our tenants.”

Local organizations say they will continue pushing for more city-backed solutions as demand for housing and services continues to grow.