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Texas Children's must open country's first "detransition clinic"

The settlement resolves an investigation launched in 2023 after Texas banned gender-affirming medical care for minors.

Politics & Policy

Texas Children&#x27;s Hospital must open what is believed to be the country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot; and pay the state $10 million as part of a settlement over <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transgender care" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/22/texas-legislature-anti-trans-bills" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/04/22/texas-legislature-anti-trans-bills" target="_self">transgender care</a> for minors, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Attorney General Ken Paxton" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/cornyn-paxton-runoff-texas-republican-senate-primary" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/austin/2026/03/04/cornyn-paxton-runoff-texas-republican-senate-primary" target="_self">Attorney General Ken Paxton</a> announced Friday.Why it matters: The settlement marks the latest move by Texas Republicans to restrict transgender rights as the state has enacted some of the nation&#x27;s toughest policies targeting trans people, including limits on <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gender-affirming care for minors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/06/28/gender-affirming-care-ban-texas-transgender" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/dallas/2024/06/28/gender-affirming-care-ban-texas-transgender" target="_self">gender-affirming care for minors</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="sports participation" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/25/texas-trans-youth-sports" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2021/10/25/texas-trans-youth-sports" target="_self">sports participation</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="bathroom access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/09/22/abbott-signs-bathroom-bill-into-law" data-vars-content-id="3b555db9-453d-444a-b108-8504352d71a4" data-vars-headline="Texas Children&#x27;s must open country&#x27;s first &quot;detransition clinic&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/09/22/abbott-signs-bathroom-bill-into-law" target="_self">bathroom access</a>.

Scoop: Feds won't focus immigration enforcement at Houston's World Cup

Mixed messaging from the Trump administration has led to confusion on ICE's role during the tournament.

Sports

ICE&#x27;s role providing security during the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" data-vars-content-id="8c495abd-3e55-4679-8c02-17156b9b95cb" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Feds won&#x27;t focus immigration enforcement at Houston&#x27;s World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" target="_self">World Cup</a> in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" data-vars-content-id="8c495abd-3e55-4679-8c02-17156b9b95cb" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Feds won&#x27;t focus immigration enforcement at Houston&#x27;s World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston" target="_self">Houston</a> will not focus on immigration enforcement, the city host committee&#x27;s security chief told Axios on Monday.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mixed and unclear messaging" data-vars-click-url="https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2026/05/08/trump-officials-confusion-ice-world-cup/" data-vars-content-id="8c495abd-3e55-4679-8c02-17156b9b95cb" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Feds won&#x27;t focus immigration enforcement at Houston&#x27;s World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/suzannerowankelleher/2026/05/08/trump-officials-confusion-ice-world-cup/" target="_blank">Mixed and unclear messaging</a> from the Trump administration has led to confusion on ICE&#x27;s role during the tournament, which will take place in Houston and 10 other cities nationwide come June.

Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries

Forward Ezequiel Ponce remains Houston's most expensive player.

The Houston Dynamo have four players making at least $1 million each this season, per the 2026 MLS <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="player salary guide" data-vars-click-url="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" data-vars-content-id="6829e011-34ec-4972-827e-fb281d6c50b1" data-vars-headline="Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://mlsplayers.org/resources/salary-guide" target="_blank">player salary guide</a> released Tuesday by the Players Association. The big picture: Forward Ezequiel Ponce, who joined the squad in 2024, remains Houston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most expensive player" data-vars-click-url="https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/houston-dynamo-fc-sign-forward-ezequiel-ponce-from-aek-athens-on-club-record-transfer-fee" data-vars-content-id="6829e011-34ec-4972-827e-fb281d6c50b1" data-vars-headline="Houston Dynamo spend $20.9M on player salaries" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.houstondynamofc.com/news/houston-dynamo-fc-sign-forward-ezequiel-ponce-from-aek-athens-on-club-record-transfer-fee" target="_blank">most expensive player</a>, with a guaranteed compensation of $3 million.

Houston's mad dash to lay World Cup grass

The grass for Houston's World Cup matches has been growing in Colorado for 18 months.

Twenty-five refrigerated trucks are hauling valuable grass from Colorado that will soon cover NRG Stadium ahead of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston&#x27;s World Cup matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" data-vars-content-id="a7304f07-be34-401d-9d48-d24e3923807a" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s mad dash to lay World Cup grass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/04/25/houston-world-cup-2026-preparations-readiness-50-days" target="_self">Houston&#x27;s World Cup matches</a>. Why it matters: This isn&#x27;t ordinary turf. The FIFA-spec grass has been growing near Denver for the past 18 months and will soon host world-renowned players kicking, passing and scoring through <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven Houston matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="a7304f07-be34-401d-9d48-d24e3923807a" data-vars-headline="Houston&#x27;s mad dash to lay World Cup grass" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self">seven Houston matches</a>.

Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer

Mortgage rates are ticking up as global tensions rise — but Houston's housing market may be better insulated than most.

Politics

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mortgage rates are inching up" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/mortgage-rates-iran-war-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/03/25/mortgage-rates-iran-war-housing-market" target="_self">Mortgage rates are inching up</a> as <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tensions escalate in Iran" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/world" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/world" target="_self">tensions escalate in Iran</a> — but Houston&#x27;s housing market is better positioned than most to absorb the shock.Why it matters: While national headlines tie rising rates to geopolitical instability, Houston&#x27;s economy has an energy sector and general affordability buffer that could keep <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="homebuying relatively steady." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/20/what-2026-could-hold-for-houstons-housing-market" data-vars-content-id="0cf0adb0-3fa0-4465-92ee-75aabe910602" data-vars-headline="Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2026/01/20/what-2026-could-hold-for-houstons-housing-market" target="_self">homebuying relatively steady.</a>

What 2026 could hold for Houston's housing market

Buyers have more options, forcing sellers to be more flexible on pricing.

Real Estate

Expect lower mortgage rates but a relatively tough yet stable <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="housing market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" data-vars-content-id="762e7dfd-6a3b-466c-baa4-44a0879a2ec9" data-vars-headline="What 2026 could hold for Houston&#x27;s housing market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/10/09/housing-population-growth" target="_self">housing market</a> in the Houston region this year. Why it matters: The fate of the housing market is tied to factors both national (like interest rates) and local (housing inventory) — and homeownership remains part of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="American dream" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/03/american-dream-job-market-housing-price-marriage" data-vars-content-id="762e7dfd-6a3b-466c-baa4-44a0879a2ec9" data-vars-headline="What 2026 could hold for Houston&#x27;s housing market" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/03/american-dream-job-market-housing-price-marriage" target="_self">American dream</a> that remains unaffordable for many.

How to Airbnb your Houston home for the 2026 World Cup

Airbnb hosts could see a World Cup payday in Houston

News

Airbnb is expecting a World Cup boom — and Houston homeowners could cash in. Why it matters: Houston is hosting <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="seven matches" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" data-vars-content-id="d0584cfc-75fd-4be2-990b-b3f5c09b51c7" data-vars-headline="How to Airbnb your Houston home for the 2026 World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/06/fifa-2026-world-cup-houston-schedule-matches" target="_self">seven matches</a>, drawing <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="visitors" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/11/fifa-world-cup-2026-single-match-tickets" data-vars-content-id="d0584cfc-75fd-4be2-990b-b3f5c09b51c7" data-vars-headline="How to Airbnb your Houston home for the 2026 World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/12/11/fifa-world-cup-2026-single-match-tickets" target="_self">visitors</a> from across the globe and pumping money into the local economy.

Houston apartment construction slows down

The city's apartment pipeline is cooling after a pandemic-fueled boom. Deliveries in Houston are expected to drop 37.6% from last year.

While Houston remains one of the top U.S. metros for new apartments in 2025, it trails behind other major cities — including Dallas and Austin — as developers ease off after several years of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="historic growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/10/05/apartments-construction-climbs" data-vars-content-id="ddfa902a-5b49-42ae-b932-b84863c03086" data-vars-headline="Houston apartment construction slows down" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2022/10/05/apartments-construction-climbs" target="_self">historic growth</a>.Why it matters: The city&#x27;s apartment pipeline is cooling after a pandemic-fueled boom. Deliveries in Houston are expected to drop 37.6% from last year, part of a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="broader slowdown" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/21/new-apartment-construction-rent" data-vars-content-id="ddfa902a-5b49-42ae-b932-b84863c03086" data-vars-headline="Houston apartment construction slows down" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/21/new-apartment-construction-rent" target="_self">broader slowdown</a>. Still, developers continue to bet on the state&#x27;s growth and affordability.

Houston housing inventory hits record high in July

Active listings hit a record 40,000 in July — up 38.2% from the same time last year.

The Greater Houston housing market last month saw active home listings hit a record 40,000 — up 38.2% from the same time last year.Why it matters: The influx of homes on the market — along with steady demand — is setting up a more balanced and sustainable housing market for the second half of the year, according to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Houston Association of Realtors&#x27; recent report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.har.com/content/department/newsroom?pid=2195" data-vars-content-id="7cda365d-3bfc-452b-8d61-28335cf95a45" data-vars-headline="Houston housing inventory hits record high in July" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.har.com/content/department/newsroom?pid=2195" target="_blank">Houston Association of Realtors&#x27; recent report</a>.

Rising costs, risks for Houston homeowners, per Kinder report

The region's most vulnerable households are the least equipped to manage and handle a climate-related disaster.

Houston housing is becoming harder to afford and harder to protect, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Kinder Institute&#x27;s State of Housing report" data-vars-click-url="https://kinder.rice.edu/research/2025-state-housing-harris-county-and-houston" data-vars-content-id="26862025-7785-46db-bbc0-45ac25478d04" data-vars-headline="Rising costs, risks for Houston homeowners, per Kinder report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://kinder.rice.edu/research/2025-state-housing-harris-county-and-houston" target="_blank">Kinder Institute&#x27;s State of Housing report</a>.Why it matters: The combination of rising costs, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="outdated infrastructure" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/06/16/houston-housing-market-new-homes" data-vars-content-id="26862025-7785-46db-bbc0-45ac25478d04" data-vars-headline="Rising costs, risks for Houston homeowners, per Kinder report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/06/16/houston-housing-market-new-homes" target="_self">outdated infrastructure</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extreme weather" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/08/houston-texas-climate-change" data-vars-content-id="26862025-7785-46db-bbc0-45ac25478d04" data-vars-headline="Rising costs, risks for Houston homeowners, per Kinder report" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/houston/2025/05/08/houston-texas-climate-change" target="_self">extreme weather</a> is putting pressure on already strained households.

Houston homebuyers tap into newer housing

In the Houston area, the median home bought last year was 16 years old.

Houston homebuyers are purchasing much newer homes than buyers in most major U.S. cities, thanks to a steady supply of new construction.Why it matters: America&#x27;s housing stock is aging, but fast-growing Texas metros are building quickly to meet demand — keeping the state&#x27;s homes comparatively younger.

You need a $67K salary to afford rent in the Houston area

An average month's rent in Houston is about $1,700.

You have to earn more than $67,000 per year to afford the typical monthly rent in the Greater Houston area, according to a new report.Why it matters: That&#x27;s about 23.4% higher than what a Houston-area household would have needed to earn five years ago, per the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="analysis from Zillow" data-vars-click-url="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-05-12-Number-of-markets-where-renters-need-to-earn-100K-to-afford-rent-has-doubled-since-2020" data-vars-content-id="eba31be3-b94d-4e2c-a1c9-05d2ded911c8" data-vars-headline="You need a $67K salary to afford rent in the Houston area" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://zillow.mediaroom.com/2025-05-12-Number-of-markets-where-renters-need-to-earn-100K-to-afford-rent-has-doubled-since-2020" target="_blank">analysis from Zillow</a>.

Houston HOAs outpace the national average

Homeowners association fees can be a financial hurdle in an already tough market.

Greater Houston homebuyers are more likely than most Americans to face homeowners association fees, per a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="recent report" data-vars-click-url="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2024" data-vars-content-id="ef40e064-de6d-464b-895c-dd6eff444fea" data-vars-headline="Houston HOAs outpace the national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.realtor.com/research/homeowners-associations-2024" target="_blank">recent report</a> from Realtor.com.Why it matters: For many homebuyers, HOA fees are another financial hurdle in an already <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="tough market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/23/home-prices-mortgage-rates-predictions-2025" data-vars-content-id="ef40e064-de6d-464b-895c-dd6eff444fea" data-vars-headline="Houston HOAs outpace the national average" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/12/23/home-prices-mortgage-rates-predictions-2025" target="_self">tough market</a>.

Why out-of-state residents buy Texas houses

More than 1 in 4 Texas home shoppers are from out of state, per a new report from Realtor.com.

More than 1 in 4 Texas home shoppers are from out of state, per a new report from Realtor.com.Why it matters: Texas continues to lead the U.S. in <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="population growth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/01/03/fastest-growing-texas-counties-population-census?utm_term=emshare" data-vars-content-id="f049f7dd-887e-4d99-81ee-8dc39e75da35" data-vars-headline="Why out-of-state residents buy Texas houses" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/san-antonio/2025/01/03/fastest-growing-texas-counties-population-census?utm_term=emshare" target="_self">population growth</a>, but the surge in new residents has contributed to a tight housing market in the state&#x27;s four largest metropolitan areas, including Greater Houston.

🏡 What Houston homeowners do for a living

What Houston homeowners do for a living

A heat table that compares Houston homeownership rates by occupation in 2014 and 2024. Management and business remained highest, slipping from 71% to 69%. Service stayed lowest at 49% in both years. Sales and real estate rose from 56% to 63%, while education and social services fell from 68% to 64%.

Houston homeownership rate, by occupation

🏡 Houston homeowners are staying put

Houston homeowners are staying put

A line chart showing average homeowner tenure in the Houston metro area compared to the U.S. overall. Tenure is the time between the most recent and previous sale dates of a home. Nationally, average tenure has risen from 3.7 years in Q1 2005 to 8.6 years in Q4 2025. In Houston, average tenure has risen from 3.2 years to 8.2 years over the same period.

Real Estate 🏠

What Houston homeowners do for a living

Rising mortgage rates hit U.S. — but Houston has a buffer

Houston homeowners are staying put

What 2026 could hold for Houston's housing market

How to Airbnb your Houston home for the 2026 World Cup