THE FUTURE OF HOMELESSNESS IN CORPUS CHRISTI HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION

HOMELESSNESS Corpus Christi (Pop. 320,000) Homeless Population = 4,000* Tampa, Florida (Pop 346,000) Tampa Bay Times Homeless Population = 750 (caused crackdown) *Jesse Elizondo, Salvation Army, Caller-Times Article May,

HOMELESS POPULATION GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS* 68.7% Male 77% Single Adults 38% Hispanic 62%, White, Black or other* 23% Veterans 45% Homeless more than once in last year 24% need addiction treatment 47% need mental health treatment 57% are or have been on probation or parole (2011 Homeless study) 74% born in another county or state (2013 HIP PIT Summary) *2014 Homeless Count & Characteristics Study 757 households (?) containing 822 adult + 90 children Median adult age 43, Median child age 5

WORK READINESS* 24% full time employment Median employment 13% part time employment length 10 months 10.8% day labor or temporary work 47% unemployed 71.7% high school education or above 77% stated they were able to work 86% received medical care in last year 56% in ER * 2014 HIP Homeless PIT Study

WEATHER & SERVICES HAVE CREATED A HOMELESS DESTINATION IN CORPUS CHRISTI

CALLER TIMES LETTER TO THE EDITOR MAY 14, 2014 Todd Burkes Feeling safe downtown would help revitalization On a recent Saturday night, my wife and I decided to head down­town and visit a restaurant/bar. We noticed the freshly paved streets, the nice landscaping, the new store­fronts. We commented on how great everything looked. We parked our car on Chapar­ral Street and began our short walk to the restaurant. We were almost there when an argument between two homeless men began. Immedi­ately, the whole mood of the evening changed. We turned around and left for another part of town. If the city wants to revitalize the downtown area, please make the citi­zens feel safe. We will gladly patron­ize the local establishments, as long as it is in a safe environment.

IMPACTS ON COMMUNITY Creates appearance and reality of unsafe places Devalues property Depresses business Increases petty crime, incarceration costs, strain on behavioral health, social and medical services Misuse of public property Loitering, soliciting and camping in public places Inhibits revitalization and affordable housing investment

CHALLENGES FOR HOMELESS SERVICE PROVIDERS Our current overburdened and over populated homeless system will face a heavy increase in demand for services. Housing demand will likely result in higher evictions of low income families, disabled, and seniors, which are more vulnerable than able bodied individuals. Increasing influx of single and family homeless from surrounding small towns experiencing housing issues. Lack of coordinated care delivery system. Less tolerant political environment: Revitalization efforts will diminish public & private support for current homeless care system.

CURRENT HOUSING CRISES

DEMAND, LAND, MATERIAL, AND WORKFORCE COSTS DRIVE HOUSING PRICES HIGHER

CURRENT HOUSING SITUATION 2014* Rental Occupancy = 95.2%* Available Housing Inventory = 92 days on all homes. (createaplace.com) down from 9.5 months in Homes below $150,000 are getting 4-5 offers (realtor reports) Current (Feb 2014) median home price is $152,200 and average sale price is $190,600; appreciating 10%/year* 11% of current housing is vacant and probably needs demolition* 12% is valued at less than $50,000 at least half of which is substandard and needs demolition* * City Council Workshop - Current Status of Housing in Corpus Christi, TX February 18, 2014

HOUSING PROJECTIONS Projected growth: Forbes magazine predicts population growth of 9% by 2020 March 2012-March ,900 new jobs produced need for 6,076 new dwelling units. Ave need 1 new home for every 1.33 new jobs. Current projected single/multiple housing units to be built in 2014 = 4500 (2000 houses, 2500 apartments) Rents escalating at approximately 10-15% per year and expected to accelerate Current rents average 42% of income: should not be more than 33% to be considered affordable. Average rent $830/month Threatens lower economic tier with eviction & homelessness