HTX-SLM: Impact 9/16/2025

What started as a way to connect with grandparents during the pandemic has grown into a nonprofit organization about to celebrate its fifth anniversary.

Why it matters: When the United States entered lockdown in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Raghav Singh worried about his grandmothers, who lived overseas in India.

At the time, Singh was a sophomore at Clements High School in Sugar Land. He said he noticed the disproportionate ways quarantine affected senior citizens, and while he couldn’t reach his own grandmothers, he decided to help someone else’s. 

Singh said he founded Silver Heart Care in the fall of 2020 to bridge the gap between what seniors have and what they need.

“At the time, it was really just about what we could do to help out people that are nearest to us, just people in our own neighborhood,” Singh said. 

What they offer: Now, almost five years later, the nonprofit runs several different programs, raises thousands of dollars annually and serves seniors all across the Greater Houston area. 

Extra Space Storage has expanded its footprint in Missouri City with a third location on Lake Olympia Parkway, a company official confirmed.

What it offers: According to its website, Extra Space Storage is committed to enhancing the storage experience through features including:

• Climate-controlled units
• Vehicle storage
• Electronic gate access
• Video and in-person surveillance

• 1101 Lake Olympia Parkway, Missouri City

The gist: Single-family home sales rose 11.9% compared to the same time last year in August, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ August 2025 Housing Market Update released Sept. 10. The number of homes available was also reported to be 30.4% above last year’s number. While sales and available homes numbers were higher, home prices didn’t show as much change this August compared to last year. The median sales price remained almost unchanged at $335,000, according to the report.

What they’re saying: “August brought the strongest sales gains we’ve seen so far this year, and that’s encouraging for both sides of the market,” HAR Chair Shae Cottar said. “Buyers have more choices and negotiating power than they’ve had in more than a decade while sellers continue to benefit from solid demand. As mortgage rates continue to ease, I anticipate buyer activity will remain solid in the coming months.”

Cities, counties and school district boards across Texas are required to provide more notice for public meetings under a new state law aimed at increasing public participation in government affairs.

The details: Local government agencies must post meeting notices at least three business days in advance of the meeting, meaning weekends and holidays do not count toward the minimum posting period.

House Bill 1522, which became law Sept. 1, increases the notice requirement from 72 hours.

The law change is part of “an effort to promote government transparency and citizen participation,” Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, said during a May 13 legislative hearing.

The local impact: Some city and county governments across Community Impact’s coverage areas are changing their meeting schedules to comply with the new law, including:

• Bastrop City Council
• Conroe City Council
• Fort Bend County Commissioners Court
• Montgomery County Commissioners Court
• The Woodlands Township