Bon Jovi helps fund N.J. housing project

NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 4 (UPI) -- Rock star Jon Bon Jovi has helped break ground on a planned $15 million affordable-housing project his non-profit helped finance in Newark, N.J.

Bon Jovi attended the groundbreaking for the project this week with Newark Mayor Cory Booker and New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine. The singer's Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation is contributing about $1 million, while Newark and New Jersey are bankrolling the bulk of the cost for the 51-unit project, called Genesis Apartments, the Newark Star-Ledger reported.

"I am thrilled," the Star-Ledger quoted Booker as saying. "I am 10 feet tall today. This is a powerful statement to show America what Newark is all about today."

The project is expected to be finished in the fall of 2009.

At least a quarter of the units will be occupied by people who are currently being treated for HIV/AIDS by a Newark organization managed by University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, the newspaper said.

The rest of the apartments will be available to residents who make between $17,730 and $43,900 a year.