Corpus Christi distributes $264,000 in homeless funding

Four local nonprofits receive $55,000 each despite drop in homeless population

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The city of Corpus Christi, Texas has distributed more than $264,000 in funding to four local nonprofit organizations to help address homelessness in the community. The Salvation Army, Mother Teresa Shelter, Mission 911, and Dismas Charities each received around $55,000 from the grant, despite data showing the homeless population in Nueces County dropped from over 1,100 in 2024 to under 800 in 2025.

Why it matters

Homelessness remains a persistent issue in Corpus Christi, with the city's data not always accurately reflecting the full scope of the problem. While the funding represents a small portion of what's needed to comprehensively address homelessness, it serves as a starting point for increased partnerships between the city and local nonprofits to expand support for the homeless population.

The details

The city is splitting the $264,000 in funding among the four nonprofits, with three of them based in the historically poorer North and Westside areas of Corpus Christi. The funding comes with requirements for the nonprofits to submit monthly budgets, performance reports, and undergo site monitoring to ensure accountability. While the $55,000 each organization received is significant, the Salvation Army alone spends around $72,000 annually just on food costs, highlighting the limited resources available to address the issue comprehensively.

  • The city announced the homeless funding three months ago.
  • The homeless population in Nueces County dropped from over 1,100 in 2024 to under 800 in 2025.

The players

The Salvation Army

A nonprofit organization that provides a range of social services, including assistance for the homeless.

Mother Teresa Shelter

A local nonprofit that provides shelter and support services for the homeless in Corpus Christi.

Mission 911

A Corpus Christi-based nonprofit that offers programs and resources for the homeless and those in need.

Dismas Charities

A nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing and support services for individuals leaving incarceration.

Jennifer Buxton

The interim director of economic development for the city of Corpus Christi.

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What they’re saying

“It's not necessarily always an accurate view of how many unhoused persons there are in the community. However generally we are seeing at least around the same amount.”

— Jennifer Buxton, Interim Director of Economic Development (kristv.com)

“Usually a month of food is around six thousand dollars.”

— Jonathan Gonzalez, Public Relations Coordinator, The Salvation Army (kristv.com)

“I was raised here my whole life and seeing this issue has always been there. Now that I'm working here I know that's more prevalent.”

— Jonathan Gonzalez, Public Relations Coordinator, The Salvation Army (kristv.com)

What’s next

To ensure accountability, the city requires nonprofits to submit monthly budgets, performance reports, and undergo site monitoring to receive the funding, according to the Texas Administrative Code.

The takeaway

While the $264,000 in funding represents a small portion of what's needed to comprehensively address homelessness in Corpus Christi, it serves as a starting point for increased partnerships between the city and local nonprofits to expand support for the homeless population and find more sustainable solutions to this persistent issue.