Historic shotgun-style homes repurposed for housing, art, and community services
Project Row Houses transformed 22 abandoned, historic shotgun-style houses in Houston into art galleries, subsidized housing, and community support programs. The project preserves the landmark buildings while revitalizing the city’s Third Ward community and celebrating the cultural heritage of one of Houston’s oldest African-American neighborhoods. Founded by artists and community activists, the project sees art as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization, youth education, and community engagement. The complex includes eight houses for art installations, seven affordable housing units for single mothers, a center for performances, a day care center and after-school program, empowerment programs, and a community garden.
Project Row Houses believes that art in a community setting has the potential to transform its community by creating positive cultural images of ethnic identity.
1997 Selection Committee
Project Row Houses united members of the community who joined together to design, organize, and acquire funding for the multi-layered project. It offers a national model and can serve as an example for how other inner-city locations can combine the use of local historic structures, art produced by the local community, and social assistance programs to address community needs.