Convenience Big Store: New mental health clinic opens in Pearland

How has your Pearland rent or property tax bill changed this year?

It's no secret that Pearland area home prices and property taxes could increased this year, burdening local home owners.

But did you know that Pearland renters were facing similar challenges? In Pearland, the median one-bedroom rent has grown from roughly $1,200 in 2017 to around $1,600 in 2023, which is nearly $500 more than the median price for Houston renters.

The challenge to pay for housing could grow for local home owners this year as Pearland ISD tries to cover rising education costs.

Pearland ISD voters will decide in November whether to approve a tax rate that is 9 cents higher than the rate school boards may adopt without an election. The board of trustees called for a tax election that, if approved, would assist in offsetting a projected $12.7 million budget shortfall, while being the lowest tax rate in district history, according to Pearland ISD officials.

What do you think about Pearland ISD asking voters to consider paying more in property taxes? Let us know in our poll.

How much are you paying in rent? Has it been more or less difficult to find a place to rent? I want to hear from you.

Pooja Bhakta, Pearland reporter

pooja.bhakta@houstonchronicle.com

Growing Pearland

Ellie Mental Health had a soft launch on July 10, followed by an official ribbon cutting ceremony with the Fort Bend Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 14.

Photo by: Kai Tan

New mental health clinic opens in Pearland as part of massive expansion.

The clinic, part of a rapidly expanding Minnesota-based franchise, had a soft launch on July 10, followed by an official ribbon cutting ceremony on Sept. 14.

Education

Alvin ISD offers free English classes to bilingual parents with the goal to improve their involvement in the district and students' school lives.

Photo by: Courtesy Of Alvin ISD

Waitlist open as parents fill Alvin ISD's free English as a second language class.

The top five languages in the district are Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Malayalam and Cambodian.

Openings and Closings

Kolache Shoppe has opened its newest location in Pearland with local franchisees Cecilia and Luis Rey.

The authetic, scratch-made Texas-Czech pastry and coffee shop is located at the new Broadway Plaza shopping center, 11940 Broadway Street.

Shout out

Pearland outfielder Isaiah Castaneda has committed to play at Rice University, becoming the sixth player on the current Oiler roster to pledge to an NCAA Division I school, according to Chronicle reporter Ted Dunnam.

Congrats Isaiah!

One last thing …

Texas ranks as the second-most diverse state in the country, behind only California, according to a new analysis conducted by the personal finance website WalletHub.