Project Row Houses

Programs: Neighborhood development includes cultural and historic preservation, affordable housing, economic development and all aspects of community building. Part of its core values since inception, prh is now involved in targeted efforts to preserve the identity and culture of the northern third ward. Initiating and convening the emancipation economic development council, which is now an entity on its own, prh is a member of this collaborative that includes residents, churches, community-based, public and private non-profit organizations, elected officials, quasi-governmental agencies, anchor institutions, developers and other stakeholders, in addition to local foundations, to create and implement effective neighborhood plans that benefit the entire community-time residents as well as those new to the area. Planning and activities are funded in part by the kinder foundation, houston endowment inc. , and local initiatives support corporation (lisc). The historic eldorado building (c. 1939), included in neighborhood development initiatives, has been renovated and the second floor ballroom is used for prh programming, partnership, and rental events while the ground floor spaces are used for exhibitions, meetings, prh archives, artists studios, and incubation. All eldorado programs seek to raise the collective awareness and appreciation of the eldorado ballroom and the surrounding community.

the public art program, founded in 1994, provides opportunities for participating artists to take risks, explore new ways to work within a community, and to provide the community with the unique experience of working directly with artists. There are seven installation/exhibition houses out of the original twenty-two shotgun houses. Three times each year these houses are part of a "round" of installations where site specific art is created in each house. Artists and artist collaborations participated in public art programming, which included residencies, fellowships, lectures, artist talks and installations. Over 25,000 people from throughout the united states and the world visit project row houses each year.

community enrichment programs include young mothers residential program (ymrp), integrated services delivery, 3rd ward tutoring, small business incubations, artist studios and community markets. One of its signature programs, ymrp established in 1996, provides services and support for five women between the ages of 19-26 and their children for two years: a fully furnished row house; a weekly workshop series with topics on budget/finance, parenting, computer skills, job readiness, healthy relationships, and self-care; a program mentor; individual and group counseling; and a structure whereby participants learn to establish tools for raising healthy children and community networks to sustain them upon exiting the program. The integrated services delivery program includes educational classes and workshops, job training, and financial literacy in addition to quality classes and workshops with varying topics of interest to neighborhood youth and adults.