Bon Jovi Helps With Homeless Housing Project

By JONIDA SHEGANI

Updated 6:01 PM EST, Wed, Jul 8, 2009

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New Jersey native and homelessness advocate Jon Bon Jovi is using his star power to help an important cause.

The rock star joined forces with two of Philadelphia's leading homeless organizations, Project H.O.M.E. and the Bethesda Project to build affordable, environmentally-certified green housing for 79 homeless men and women.

Bon Jovi will supply a percentage the funds needed to build the $23 million, eight-story complex. Building was already underway and should be completed by the end of 2010.

The two non-profits announced on Wednesday they are working in partnership for the first time to build the home.

The nearly 64,000-square-foot building will stand behind St. John the Evangelist Church at 13th and Market in Center City.

“We are extremely proud not only of the opportunity this project provides for the homeless community, but also of the unique collaboration among organizations and neighbors that went into making this possible,” said Executive Director of Project H.O.M.E., Sister Mary Scullion.

“This building is important because we are creating desperately needed permanent, supported housing for people with special needs in an area of the City with an abundance of social services, transportation and social opportunities available to them,” said Bethesda Project Executive Director Angelo Sgro.

The square-shaped housing will consist of 79 single-resident units. Some main features include a multi-purpose room, an exercise room, kitchens, offices, storage and a main lobby. It will also hold the St. John Parish offices.

The planned environmental components include a green roof, highly insulated walls, a rainwater collection system, high-efficiency mechanical systems and lighting.

The apartment building will be named Connelly House in memory of John and Josephine Connelly the founders of the Connelly Foundation, according to the organizations.

Besides Philly, Bon Jovi hoped to help build affordable housing in New Orleans and in his home state of New Jersey through his Philadelphia Soul Foundation.

It seemed that Bon Jovi was taking his own lyrics to heart when he joined this project. ”And every step I take, I know that I'm not alone. You take the home from the boy, but not the boy from his home. These are my streets, the only life I've ever known. Who says you can't go home."

Soon a group of people will be able to go home.