Queen Latifah is heading back to her old hood.
NJ.com reported the hip-hop legend is slated to break ground with a $14 million housing project in Newark, New Jersey. The plan includes 20 three-family townhomes with 60 units in each and a three-story mixed-used building with an additional 16 units of affordable housing.
The actress and rapper, who was born in East Orange, will be building the Springfield Avenue and South 17th Street structure in conjunction with GonSosa Development, a general contracting company.
Latifah expressed her sense of pride about her home with the graduating class of Rutgers-Newark during her commencement speech last May.
“Today’s Newark is stirring again, stirring because our greatest export was never a product, it’s always been the people. People like each of you — unique, strong, creative individuals," she said.
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According to Pix 11, the 48-year-old is collaborating with Blue Sugar Corporation where she serves as the co-president with plans to open in December of 2020. A spokesperson for the developers, Cristina Pinzon, shared a statement explaining the intentions of the builders.
"BlueSugar and GS Developers share the belief that decent, affordable housing should be available to everyone regardless of their financial situation," she said before going on to address their understanding of Newark's needs.
Similar to the Set It Off actress, Newark native and former basketball champion Shaquille O’Neal also invested in a downtown high-rise last year.
"They understand now how difficult it is to make ends meet for many residents and want to be part of the solution. They remain dedicated to making life better in communities like Newark," Pinzon continued.
Yes, Queen!
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