Harris County officials and Grammy award-winning singers Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland, who are also Houston natives, are collaborating to create 31 permanent housing units in Midtown for homeless individuals.
The initiative is set to use $7.2 million in American Rescue Plan funds to build the complex. “Initiatives like this one I certainly will be supportive of it no matter who’s behind it, but it’s especially interesting… because there are these names of Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland, who, of course, have been supportive of the community for a very long time,” Judge Lina Hildago said during a press conference Tuesday, according to the Houston Chronicle.
In addition to the housing units, the new permanent housing project — called the Knowles-Rowland House — will have case managers, peer specialists, service specialists, and support services, like transportation, mental health, physical and behavioral health support.
An “even bigger launch” of the housing complex is slated for a September announcement once Beyoncé is back in her hometown for her two Renaissance World Tour shows at Houston’s NRG Stadium.
Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland have consistently given back to their hometown. After Hurricane Harvey upended the city in 2017. Destiny Child member Michelle Williams and Beyonce’s mother Tina Knowles went back to the “Cuff It” singer’s hometime to help in many charity functions.
Over a decade earlier, Rowland teamed up with the Knowles family to found the Survivor Foundation, a charity intended to provide transitional housing for Houston victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Local pastor and Bread of Life executive director Rudy Rasmus told the Chronicle, “This will be our fifth housing development in downtown in Precinct 1 over these last 17 years, and we’re just really grateful to continue to help end homeless in our county.”
Hidalgo said a bigger initiative will be announced in September, which is around the time Beyoncé will be in Houston for shows on the “Renaissance” world tour, happening on Saturday, Sept. 23, and Sunday, Sept. 24 at the NRG Stadium.
Outstanding job, ladies!
