CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Alice is experiencing a housing shortage, making it difficult for those who live in the hub city to find homes or apartments to rent.
Alice Fire Chief Patrick Thomas said this is one of the reasons Project C.L.E.A.R --addressing abandoned and dilapidated buildings -- was created. However, it's primary purpose involved public safety.
"A fire hazard, they invite crime and opportunities for people to do bad things so we're trying to eliminate those," he said.
Thomas said that there's also an economic impact the city is looking to address as well, especially when it encompasses residents who hold key roles for long-term development.
"The school district teachers are having a hard time finding finding a place to live," he said. "Me as a firefighter, as a fire department chief getting some of my staff to live in town is tough to do because there is not a lot of properties for them to build or rent."
Alice resident Macario Sandoval said that seeing worn-down buildings in town is not a surprise to him.
"I see at least, just on this road here, like five or six," he said.
Sandoval said that in a world where inflation is steadily increasing, the need for more homes and businesses is ever-growing.
"We need these houses; we need housing, and with more people all the time," he said.
Thomas said that in the end, it all boils down to the responsibility of the property owners.
"There property owners but they don't live here," he said. "So they may live in another state or sometimes another country. We contact them and let them know, 'Hey your property is in really bad shape.'"
Thomas said that Project C.L.E.A.R focuses on contacting property owners for some course of corrective action. However, if a building does become to much of a safety hazard, the City will step in.