Housing costs in Houston are more affordable than the national rate, and due to population growth, the demand is greater, according to an economic report by the Greater Houston Partnership.

During its Midyear Economic Update on Aug. 5, GHP Director of Economic Research Chris Baker presented the organization’s findings on housing trends in the past 12 months in Houston.

Breaking it down: Houston’s overall inflation is about 0.8% compared to the United States’ 4%, which Baker said ties to housing.

“Locally here, we're a bit more insulated from overall price changes,” Baker said. “Housing continues to get more expensive around the rest of the country, but as of the most recent reading, we have essentially flat year-over-year housing-related price increases in Houston, which is helping to keep Houston more affordable than many other metros.”

Holly Heard, senior vice president of research at GHP, said most of the growth has been pushed into the suburbs. She said immigration has been a big factor in metro population growth, though it has slowed due to federal policies.

On July 28, Cava officially welcomed new guests to its table with the grand opening of its Bellaire location, officials confirmed.

A closer look: The Mediterranean-style restaurant is known for its customizable bowls, pitas and salads. In addition to these options, Cava also serves sides such as Classic Pita Chips and puréed dips like its Roasted Eggplant and Crazy Feta.

Among Cava’s seasonal bowls is its Salmon and Strawberry Sesame bowl, which incorporates glazed salmon, tzatziki, red pepper hummus, feta, sumac slaw, brown rice and other vegetables into one entree, all while drizzled with strawberry sesame dressing, per details from its online menu.

• 5401 Bellaire Blvd., Houston

Maximo Chef Adrian Torres said that as a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, recipient who has overcome his share of challenges due to his status in the country, he is choosing to use his platform as a James Beard winner to advocate for immigrant rights by sharing his own story. 

In case you missed it: During the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards hosted June 15 in Chicago, Torres was awarded the Emerging Chef prize, given annually to one chef nationwide, according to the awards website.

Quote of note: “I've always had the thought of my parents and their sacrifice and everything they did. ... They left their country, their home, their dreams, their lives to come here ... for their kids' dreams. ... Something that's been very present to me is repaying that sacrifice,” Torres said. “Especially this last year and a half, I've been given a stage and the privilege to speak on what is true to me.”

Need to catch up on Community Impact’s coverage from last week? Check out six trending stories from the South Houston area from Aug. 3-7.

1. League City seeks to acquire Walter Hall Park from Galveston County

2. Pearland taco spot to close in August

3. What you need to know for back to school in Fort Bend ISD

4. Bakeries, breads, brand new tastes: Arôme’s traditional French galettes coming to Houston

5. Houston ISD students to begin 2026-27 school year Aug. 10

6. Tacodeli opens 3rd Greater Houston location in Katy

Harris County is facing the task of balancing a $178 million shortfall going into fiscal year 2026-27—amid several requests that would require millions more in funding.

The big picture: According to the latest update from the county’s office of budget management, Harris County is facing a $178 million shortfall in the FY 2026-27 budget. Daniel Ramos, executive director of the Harris County Office of Management and Budget, said the county has faced a roughly $150 million shortfall annually in recent years.

The discussion: Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis expressed heavy concern regarding how the county would ultimately address the shortfall, which has become a repetitive issue.

“When I was a banker, if you have a shortfall five years in a row, ... that's a structural deficit,” Ellis said.
”We’re about out of smoke and mirrors.”

Another thing: Commissioners also authorized raises for all eight elected constables, the district attorney, county attorney, district clerk, county clerk and tax assessor-collector which brought all positions to the same salary of $305,000 annually.

Within the next year, Texans will likely see changes to when they can vote early in elections, including expanded weekend voting hours.

The overview: Last year, state lawmakers passed Senate Bill 2753, which shifts Texas’ early voting window closer to election day, cutting out a three-day gap between the two voting periods and adding more Saturday and Sunday voting.

While the changes did not take effect immediately and were designed to help boost voter turnout, local election administrators said the law will also significantly raise costs for municipalities and delay the release of election results.

Election officials said the current three-day break allows staff to set up polling places for election day and prepare submitted ballots so results from early and mail-in voting can be released quickly after the polls close on election night.

The impact: Harris County Clerk Teneshia Hudspeth estimated that the shift would raise the cost of administering a large election by 30% and increase costs for smaller elections by 9%, due to personnel, equipment and voter education needs.