Corpus Christi Housing Authority CEO warns of potential HUD budget cuts impact

Crime and Housing Concerns Dominate Corpus Christi City Council Meeting

At the City Council meeting on May 6, 2025, pressing issues of crime and affordable housing took center stage, highlighting the challenges facing Corpus Christi. Residents voiced their frustrations over rising crime rates, particularly on Leopard Street, where empty buildings and a lack of business investment have become alarming trends. One resident, Miss Sanders, emphasized the detrimental impact of crime on the community, stating, “Crime destroys everything. People don’t move there. Businesses don’t come there.”

Gary Alsup, CEO of the Corpus Christi Housing Authority, addressed the urgent need for affordable housing, revealing that 30,000 individuals are currently on the waiting list for Section 8 housing. He expressed regret for not effectively communicating the Housing Authority's recent initiatives aimed at supporting middle-income families. Alsup also raised concerns about a proposed 43% cut to HUD programs in President Trump’s preliminary budget, warning that such reductions could leave 300 families without housing for every 10% cut to the Section 8 program.

The meeting also featured remarks from Ronald Kolb, a long-time resident, who discussed potential city funding for a movie project, although his comments were met with some skepticism regarding their relevance to city matters.

In a more positive note, Tom Taglabue proposed honoring the late assistant city manager, Tom Utter, by naming the soon-to-be Oso Pedestrian Bridge after him, recognizing Utter’s significant contributions to the city over his 25 years of service.

As the council navigates these critical issues, the community remains hopeful for effective solutions to combat crime and improve housing accessibility in Corpus Christi.