Houston City Council approved changes to the city’s master pay structure May 27, adjusting minimum rate offers for certain jobs. The ordinance passed unanimously without discussion.

What it means: The city added a new pay grade for police and fire cadets. Previously, they were under pay grade 10, which, at minimum, offered around $18 an hour, according to the city’s job classification.

According to the department, the new pay grade would result in a $52,000 annual salary and would be under a new pay grade listed as CDT.

Some background: This comes after the city approved a $832 million contract in 2025, which raised officers’ salaries by 36.5% over the next five years.

The first increase was in July 2025, with a 10% salary increase. The next increase will be in July 2026, with an 8% increase.

Elation Physical Therapy will open its second location in the Bellaire area.

What’s special about it: According to its website, Elation is recognized as a leader in LGBTQ+ health care by providing services like gender-affirming post-operative care and support.

“Too often, LGBTQ+ individuals face bias and discomfort in healthcare settings,” Elation’s website said. “At Elation Physical Therapy, we’ve created a space where every person — regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation — is seen, respected, and supported in their healing journey.”

They added that their approach is built on cultural humility and LGBTQ+ health training, clinically competent care, personalized recovery plans and an environment where patients’ identities are not questioned.

What is it: Founded by Dr. Roy Riveria in 2012, it was created as a patient-focused alternative to hospital-based facilities in the Houston area.

They offer other services, including physical therapy, sports medicine, pain management, aquatic therapy and LGBTQ+ medicine.

• 6800 W Loop S Suite 190, Bellaire

The Houston Food Bank will kick off its Summer Food Service Program starting June 8 to help connect children and students with free, healthy meals over the summer.

Why it matters: The Texas Department of Agriculture administers the program to ensure that children who rely on school meals during the academic year continue to receive a "source of good nutrition" during the long summer break, according to a May 26 news release.

“One in five children in Houston Food Bank’s 18-county service area experiences food insecurity, which means they don’t have consistent access to nutritious food,” said Brian Greene, president and CEO of Houston Food Bank. “In order to address this issue, the Houston Food Bank distributes meals to children through community partners during the school year as well as the summer."

How it works: The Summer Food Service Program will run from June 8 through Aug. 7. Any child from the community can receive a meal at any of the food bank's participating sites, per the release.

Meals are on a first-come, first-served basis.

More renters in Greater Houston signed leases in April as available listings increased slightly and prices dipped, according to a May 20 report from the Houston Association of Realtors.

Breaking it down: The number of rentable single-family homes in the Houston area expanded by about 1.9% compared to April 2025, with 113 more new listings to choose from, according to the monthly rental market update. Additionally, the number of signed leases increased by approximately 9.7%.

Another detail: As for average lease prices, costs eased slightly by about 2.6% compared to last April, with the average lease price totaling $2,274 in 2026, the report shows.

Quote of note: "We're continuing to see a healthy rental market across Houston," HAR Chair Theresa Hill said in a statement. "Renters have more homes to choose from right now, and that's helping create a little more breathing room when it comes to pricing and decision making. Heading into the summer months, those conditions should continue to support a steady and competitive rental market."