Published: July 08, 2008 07:17 am         

Bon Jovi helps bring down a house in Detroit

DETROIT (AP) — Jon Bon Jovi is giving some people who are living on a prayer something a bit more substantial.

The Grammy winner was in a neighborhood on Detroit’s East Side Monday to announce the building of five new homes as part of a partnership among his Philadelphia Soul Charitable Foundation, Saturn and Habitat for Humanity Detroit.

People gathered and cheered “knock it down” as construction workers busted a hole in the roof of the last remaining house on the block to be razed. Detroit-area Saturn retailers then raised the first wall of a new home.

“I wanted to come back and give something back to you,” Bon Jovi told the crowd.

Bon Jovi, 46, is an owner of the Arena Football League’s Philadelphia Soul. His charitable foundation focuses on providing affordable housing to needy communities.

Bon Jovi was in town for a performance at the Palace of Auburn Hills Monday night as part of his band’s “Lost Highway” tour.

After a short speech, he told the audience he had to go.

“I have to go to my day job now,” he said with a smile.