The issue of homelessness in Corpus Christi has sparked considerable debate, especially in light of recent budget proposals for the 2024-25 fiscal year. During a City Council meeting in July 2024, City Manager Peter Zanoni unveiled several budgetary reductions, with the Planning and Community Development department taking a significant hit. This department, which plays a crucial role in neighborhood planning, housing programs, and homeless services, faces cuts that may severely impact the city’s ability to support its homeless population.
Budget Cuts and Their Implications
The proposed budget cuts include the elimination of at least three positions within the homeless program, amounting to more than $280,000 in salary reductions. These positions were meant to connect homeless individuals with resources and organizations that could provide direct assistance. However, Zanoni pointed out that the effectiveness of these roles has been questionable over the years.
“We don’t have a facility. The city doesn’t have one, so our work is a collaborative alignment of the agencies,” Zanoni explained. “There’s no direct service. This is one service we don’t have in the city, which is funding for direct service to help homelessness. We don’t have it. I’ve been here five years and we didn’t have it six years ago. I don’t think we ever had it.”
Zanoni’s remarks underscore the long-standing challenges Corpus Christi has faced in providing direct services to its homeless population. Without a dedicated facility or comprehensive funding, the city’s efforts have been largely dependent on collaborations with local agencies. Yet, for many residents, these measures fall short of addressing the real needs of people without homes.
Public Outcry Over Homelessness and Budget Cuts
Marilena Garza, a concerned citizen, voiced her frustration during the public comment session. She passionately reminded council members that homeless individuals are regular people who deserve dignity and support. “This is sick. This is people out there,“ Garza said. “These are veterans, these are mothers, these are daughters.”
Garza criticized the city’s proposed budget cuts, pointing out that while the budget for homeless services was slashed from $433,804 to $60,828, over $4.3 million in federal funding remains unspent. She also highlighted the reduction in housing services funding and the elimination of grass abatement and demolition services, which she fears will exacerbate crime and further endanger the homeless.
“The grass abatement and demolition, that is $60,000 they’re trying to trim from the budget and going to completely eliminate that. Are you trying to make Corpus Christi an entire tent city?“ Garza questioned. She expressed concern that uncut grass and abandoned buildings would lead to increased homelessness and crime, creating unsafe conditions for everyone in the city.
Real-Life Impact of Inadequate Homeless Services
Garza shared a harrowing encounter with a homeless veteran near the Crosstown Expressway to illustrate the dire consequences of the city’s lack of outreach. “He had a medical emergency and fallen over and covered in his own feces,“ Garza recounted. “Had I not been there, he would have stayed like that. He’s still underneath that bridge. The hospital spit him out two days ago.”
This personal story emphasizes the critical need for direct services and outreach programs for people without homes in Corpus Christi. The current budget cuts could leave more individuals like this veteran without the help they desperately need.
Calls for Action and Alternative Solutions
Several City Council members acknowledged the broader issue of homelessness in Corpus Christi. District 1 Councilman Everett Roy noted the challenges in the downtown area and emphasized the need for alternative solutions. District 5 Councilman Gil Hernandez mentioned discussions with the Coastal Bend Council of Governments Leadership about using a grant writing position to address some of these unmet needs.
Homeless individuals themselves have also voiced their concerns, particularly regarding the difficulty of obtaining proper identification, which is crucial for accessing resources and employment. “Identification restoration,“ Roseann Garcia said, “That’s the biggest thing because once you have your ID, you’re somebody.”
Garza, determined to continue her advocacy, remains committed to fighting for more resources and support for the homeless population in Corpus Christi. “Nobody grows up and says I want to live in a dumpster, I want to be starving on the street. If only there were better options available for them,“ she concluded.