Knowles-Rowland House consists of the adaptive reuse of the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth, transforming it into permanent support housing for people who have experienced “chronic homelessness.” Chronic homelessness is defined by the U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development (“HUD”) as being homeless continuously for at least one year or having at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years totaling at least 12 months.

Originally constructed in 1999 as a gymnasium and youth center using funds derived from the earnings of Destiny’s Child first single and named after band members/longtime church members Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland, the Knowles-Rowland Center for Youth experienced significant damage due to Hurricane Harvey in 2017 and a fire in 2021 and has since been primarily used for storage. The redevelopment of the site will create 31 units of supportive housing, including 16 units designed with accommodations for those with mobility or sensory impairments.

The project is sponsored by the Bread of Life, a well-respected nonprofit affiliated with St. John’s Downtown Church that focuses on issues of homelessness, health, and hunger relief. Residents will have access to a range of social services including case management, mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, life skills training, and nutrition assistance through a partnership with Temenos Community Development Corporation, Bread of Life’s sister organization.