CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The City of Corpus Christi now has $5.2 million in federal funding to provide stable housing for those with a low-income. That funding will also provide minor home repairs for seniors and those with disabilities.
"Making walk-in showers, putting grab bars in bathrooms, putting on a ramp, making sure the doors are wide enough for wheelchairs," said Jennifer Buxton with Corpus Christi Neighborhood Services. "Those things in addition to what some people just take advantage of in terms of basic home necessities."
Neighborhood Services also plans to use some of those funds to provide meals to seniors and resources to minimize and prevent homelessness.
These efforts, specifically those aimed at access for people with disabilities, are a welcome addition in the Coastal Bend area. Nueces County has struggled with Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility for years.
"It was very serious," Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales said. "The Department of Justice had come into the previous administration and said, 'County, you have a long way to go.'"
Canales said that despite the County not getting the kind of federal funding the City of Corpus Christi plans to utilize, Canales said they have done everything they set out to do in order to improve the situation since she took office in 2019.
"We have settled all of the claims that were levied against Nueces County in previous administrations and that just goes to show that we are doing great work with ADA," Canales said.
With 15 potential funding opportunities available to the County, Canales said she is also looking to create a task force to determine which ones will benefit the Coastal Bend most.
"The excitement is, is that I've just come from a national conference where I've been educating myself so I can come back, educate this community and really galvanize our court behind going after some of these great funds," Canales said.
Canales said the courthouse is currently undergoing a $9 million renovation to improve ADA accessibility.
Meanwhile, the City plans to partner with local non-profits like the Salvation Army and the Corpus Christi Hope House to assist with homelessness in the community using those federal funds.
More from 3News on KIIITV.com:
- Harbor Bridge developer still not commenting on TxDOT order to halt construction
- 'It's incredible': Family of Selena talks new music from the Queen of Tejano on Good Morning America
- Corpus Christi family looks for answers after father of two was found dead inside burned SUV in San Antonio
- Corpus Christi LGBTQ+ community concerned stigma will grow as monkeypox virus spreads
- TxDOT says they have concerns regarding 'overall design' of the new Harbor Bridge Project
Want to send us a news tip?
Put your name and contact information below so we can get in touch with you about your story should we have questions or need more information. We realize some stories are sensitive in nature. Let us know if you'd like to remain anonymous.
If you do not have a photo/video to submit, just click "OK" to skip that prompt.
