Fulshear residents will now be able to apply for permits online.

The details: The new portal, which launched Nov. 10, allows residents, contractors and staff to interact in real time, track progress more easily and reduce the number of manual steps, which have slowed things down in the past, City Manager Zach Goodlander said.

In their own words: The city invested $21,500 last fiscal year setting up the portal, and will be spending less annually on permitting software than before with the new system, Goodlander said.

Looking ahead: The code enforcement and health departments have already started using the platform, with plans to move building inspections to the system in the future.

Lamar CISD brought together more than 30 local nonprofits Nov. 11 for its annual Transition Fair, an event designed to help students with disabilities and their families navigate life after public school. 

Why it matters: As the school districts surpasses 15% special education enrollment, LCISD Transition Specialist Marquettia Lewis said early planning is important given state-funded programs serving individuals with disabilities have yearslong waitlists.

“If there's a waiting list or if there's something they need to get on that, we're doing that early enough so that when they finish their school time with us, they already have connections to those resources,” Lewis said. 

Moving ahead: With service providers feeling increased pressure, Endeavors Program Director Carmen Hernandez said events like this are essential for building networks and identifying where to refer her clients.

Suburban areas including New Caney East, Porter and West University  are leading the way in home sales growth, according to the Houston Association of Realtors’ latest Hottest Communities report for the third quarter of 2025. 

The top-ranked communities are seeing the largest increase in sales due to affordability and new construction continuing to attract buyers, according to an Oct. 27 news release. Eight of the top 10 communities reported average home prices below Houston’s overall average of $421,655.

The impact: Waller claimed the top spot for the third consecutive quarter with a 94.6% increase in home sales compared to last year. The area recorded 179 sales—more than 80% of which were new construction—with an average price of $335,255, down 13% year over year, according to the release.

The Crosby area followed with a 91.3% increase in sales, while West of the Brazos ranked third with an 86.8% jump. Hockley also made the list, seeing a 76.2% rise in transactions, per the release.

A standardized worksite safety policy establishing countywide safety protocols to strengthen worker protections is now approved, following Harris County commissioners’ 3-1 vote during the Nov. 13 court meeting. Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey voted in dissent.

What they're saying: The original motion by Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis outlined various goals and key components of the proposed policy that include establishing clear safety monitoring and inspection standards to enforce compliance amongst stakeholders and workers. 

"Our goal obviously is clear: zero preventable deaths, stronger safety standards and better enforcement across every county-funded project," Ellis said.

At an active Harris Health facility construction site in the Texas Medical Center, Ellis and Precinct 4 Commissioner Lesley Briones spoke to the media Nov. 12 about the need for the worksite policy alongside union leaders, local business leaders and contractors.

"The county makes it clear that no worker should have to choose between their job and their life," said Linda Morales, organizing coordinator at the Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation.

Missed any Community Impact articles from this week? Check out the top trending stories from Community Impact's coverage areas in Houston from Nov.10-14.

1. Hines acquires over 1.5K acres of land in League City
2. Gov. Abbott launches reelection bid, vows to end school property taxes
3. Cy-Fair ISD to launch virtual learning programs starting fall 2026
4. Cy-Fair ISD narrows 2025 deficit by more than $16 million, report finds
5. Conroe Feeders Supply closes its doors