Gold Sponsors

René Galvan was appointed the new CEO and president of the Houston Association of Realtors in February, as previously reported. Galvan succeeded Bob Hale, who retired Jan. 31. In an interview with Community Impact, Galvan discussed his background, what HAR does and the real estate market in the Greater Houston area. 

More details: Some of the questions asked by Community Impact include: 

• Broadly speaking, what does the Houston Association of Realtors do, and how do Realtors and buyers interact with HAR?
• When it comes to the housing market in the Greater Houston area, what trends are you seeing?
• What factors, economic or otherwise, do you see affecting the Houston housing market?

Licasa Treatment Center has opened a new location in Conroe, expanding mental health and addiction recovery services in the area, according to a May 11 news release. 

Licasa was founded by Lilit Muradyan and first established in Los Angeles in 2016.

What they offer: The Conroe center offers an Intensive Outpatient Program and Partial Hospitalization Program for adults seeking support for mental health and substance-related addiction concerns, per the release.

The Intensive Outpatient Program is designed for people who need structured clinical support while continuing to stay connected to work, family and daily routines, per the release. 

What they’re saying: “Opening Licasa Treatment Center is about increasing access to high-quality mental health care in our community,” Lilit Muradyan, CEO of Licasa Treatment Center, said in the release. “Our goal is to provide a safe, respectful environment where clients can build stability, learn practical skills, and move forward with confidence.”

Montgomery County commissioners on May 21 voted 5-0 to approve $79,900 to submit two grant applications for a fiscal year 2024 amended Federal Emergency Management Agency Flood Mitigation Assistance grant opportunity.

The big picture: In April, FEMA announced that the FMA 2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity would reopen, according to court documents. The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management requested a proposal from Hagerty Consulting Inc. for the development and submission of up to two subapplications for the FMA 2024 amended funding.

The cost: Commissioners decided that the funding source for the $79,900 to be paid to Hagerty would be from contingency funds. That amount can be reimbursed upon award of the buyout projects, Millsaps said.

Bottom line: Millsaps said the FEMA deadline is 30 days after the state's deadline. The state’s deadline is June 23, so the county will need to work with the state now to meet the deadline.

With hurricane season beginning June 1 and running through Nov. 30, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials are predicting the first below-average Atlantic hurricane season since 2015.

What you need to know: The latest NOAA forecasts are expecting residents along the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding areas to see a less active hurricane season than normal, with a 55% chance of a below-normal season, NOAA Administrator Neil Jacobs said at a May 21 news conference.

According to predictions, the NOAA is forecasting a range of eight to 14 named storms in the Atlantic Ocean with winds of 39 mph or higher, including:

• Three to six hurricanes with winds of 74 mph or higher
• One to three major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher

Catch up on Community Impact’s coverage this week with five trending Greater Houston stories from May 18-22.

1. Fort Bend County greenlights TxDOT primacy for Grand Parkway expansion

2. 8 businesses now open in Sugar Land, Missouri City

3. League City Walmart hosts grand opening following renovations

4. Conroe council reopens public comment, rolls back street closure fees after community pushback

5. Crawfish Cookoff, Sip & Shop: Check out 10 Houston-area events this weekend, May 22-24