From the Star Ledger:

Bon Jovi breaks ground on new complex he’s helping to build

New Jersey rocker Jon Bon Jovi, Newark Mayor Cory Booker and Gov. Jon Corzine dug shovels into a vacant lot in the city’s North Ward Tuesday to toast the start of a new affordable housing project.

When complete, the project will provide 51 homes for low-income and special needs people. The project will also provide permanent housing for HIV/AIDS clients who are currently being served by Broadway House, a continuing care facility in the North Ward.

The state is funding most of the $15 million project through tax credits and additional funding. Bon Jovi is chipping in $1 million through his organization, the Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation.

“Together we started something and now it’s your turn,” Bon Jovi said at a news conference announcing the project. “Together we can make a difference, one street, one neighborhood, one soul at a time.”

Bon Jovi’s foundation has also embarked on similar projects in Brooklyn, Colorado Springs, Detroit, Philadelphia and Atlanta. According to the foundation, his group has played a role in building 140 homes in various stages of completion.

The Newark project is scheduled to be completed in fall, 2009. Applications will be accepted beginning in spring, 2009.

From USA Today:

Bon Jovi helps build homes for poor, AIDS patients

One of New Jersey’s best-known rock ‘n’ rollers has teamed up with the state to provide affordable housing in the state’s largest city.

Jon Bon Jovi’s Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation is providing $1 million toward construction of a 51-unit building that will cater to homeless people with special needs, like AIDS patients.

The $15 million building, called Genesis Apartments, will rise where there is now a vacant lot. Joining Bon Jovi at Tuesday’s ground breaking were Gov. Jon Corzine, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, fashion designer Kenneth Cole and his wife, Maria Cuomo Cole, who runs HELP USA, a national nonprofit that is helping to build the units.

“Today I believe we’re starting something,” Bon Jovi said. “Together, I believe we can make a difference, one street, one neighborhood, one city, one soul at a time.”

Bon Jovi, who’s foundation has built affordable housing in Philadelphia, New Orleans and other cities, said he teamed up with Cole to design and market a line of jackets in 2006 to raise awareness to combat homelessness. Profits from that line provided the money for the Newark project, he said.

Bon Jovi, Shaq, who is next?