CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — An annual survey conducted earlier this year by the Department of Housing and Urban Development shows a dramatic jump in the number of people experiencing homelessness locally.
In January of each year, volunteers take to the streets with a survey. They search inside shelters, beneath bridges and behind businesses – anywhere those who are looking for a place to bed down may go to survive the night.
The questions they ask are simple and help identify the unhoused population in our area.
The Homeless Issues Partnership, a non-profit group dedicated to solving the issue of homelessness in the Coastal Bend, sent 3NEWS the results of this year’s survey, and the numbers are eye-opening.
Last year, 627 people were identified as being homeless. This year, that number has jumped to 1,177 people– a nearly 88% increase, with the numbers nearly doubling in most age groups.
It also confirms what groups like Mission 911 are feeling, as they try to meet a need that they say is growing.
“Mission 911 provides several services throughout the community, and we have seen an increase in a lot of these numbers,” Interim Executive Director Paulo Salazar said.
He also said that they are seeing a jump in people using some of those services for the first time.
“We’ve got a clothing closet that we’re seeing more and new people showing up that we are not used to seeing,” Salazar said. “Our case management staff has seen an increase in folks.”
The hope is that the picture this survey paints can be used to make a difference for the homeless.
In a statement, HIP Interim President Karyn Salazar-Vega says, in part:
“The data collected will provide a more accurate representation of homelessness in our city, which is crucial for securing federal funding that will enable us to implement effective solutions towards ending homelessness in our city. We are grateful for everyone's contributions and commitment to our common mission.”
Organizations like Mission 911 and others that are leading the way when it comes to helping those in need say that monetary donations of any size enable them to continue to be able to serve.