Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Tina Knowles attended the opening of the Knowles-Rowland House in Houston, Texas, on Tuesday, October 13. The project will provide permanent housing and support services for people who have experienced chronic homelessness.
The new housing facility was created by transforming the former Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth. According to Bread of Life, the organisation behind the project, the building contains 31 housing units, including 16 designed with accommodations for people with mobility or sensory impairments.
Residents will also be able to access services such as mental health counselling, case management, substance abuse treatment, life-skills training and nutrition support through a partnership with Temenos Community Development Corporation.
The project has a long history with Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland. The building was first constructed in 1999 as a gymnasium and youth centre, using earnings from Destiny’s Child’s first single. It was named after the two singers, who had strong ties to the church community.
The centre later suffered major damage during Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and a fire in 2021. Its redevelopment has now given the building a new purpose, focused on helping people find stable housing and support.
Bread of Life, a nonprofit organisation connected to St. John’s Downtown Church, sponsors the project and works on issues including homelessness, health and hunger relief.
The opening marks a new chapter for the building and its role in the Houston community. Instead of serving mainly as a youth centre, it is now set to provide homes and support for people working toward more stable lives.
