Beyoncé Knowles and Kelly Rowland are on a quest to give back to their communities – this time by spearheading a housing complex in their hometown of Houston.
On Tuesdays, Houston officials announced that the pair would create a permanent housing structure and donate $8.4 million to undergo the project. The American Rescue Plan has also contributed $7.2 million in addition to Rice University and other donors who will support the construction of the homes.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the complex will come equipped with 31 units to be built at the Bread of Life gymnasium.
During a press conference announcing the news, Judge Lina Hidalgo said this is just the beginning. She added that there will be a “bigger launch” in September when Beyoncé comes to Houston for a stop on her Renaissance World Tour.
According to county records, the housing project will offer case managers, peer specialists, service specialists, mental and behavioral health assistance and transportation, among other services.
Pastor and executive director of Bread of Life Rudy Rasmus thanked all donors involved in the project and noted the meaningful roles Beyoncé, Kelly and Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child’s third member) have made throughout their careers, including donating proceeds from their chart-topping single, No, No, No to begin construction of a youth center in Houston.
“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 homelessness in our county,” Rasmus told the Houston Chronicle.
“I am hugely proud of the work we have done over a decade at BeyGOOD, here in the U.S. and around the world,” Beyoncé said in a statement obtained by the Houston Chronicle. “From scholarships to the water crisis in Burundi, to helping families during Hurricane Harvey in my hometown, Houston, it has been beyond fulfilling to be of service. Now as a foundation, we will continue the work of engaging partners through innovative programs to impact even more people.”
