A $27.4 million affordable housing development is coming to the heart of Newark, helping to further revitalize the city's Springfield Avenue district.

Officials from RPM Development Group and New Community Corporation broke ground Tuesday on Springfield Village, two five-story buildings comprised of 120 total units for low-income families, special needs residents and homeless veterans.

The energy-efficient development, located at 302-324 Springfield Ave., will include on-site parking and laundry, rooftop terraces, community rooms and an on-site resident services coordinator for case-management services. Located on the ground level of one of the buildings will be a 5,700 sq. ft. of retail space.

"We build housing for all of Newark's residents," said Mike Meyer, director of the city's Division of Housing and Real Estate, adding that housing developments for the homeless, victims of domestic abuse and HIV/AIDS patients have already been created.

The apartment buildings, dubbed the Plaza (50 units for families) and the Senior Residences (70 units for those age 55 and over), will be completed next fall.

RPM Development Group has constructed affordable housing sites across the city, including the Richardson Lofts and Cherry Tree Village in the city's West Ward.

"I feel like (I'm living) in a hotel, five star," said Glenny Dominguez, who moved into Cherry Tree after her Roseville Avenue apartment burned down. "My kid, when he comes home from school, he tells me, 'This is our suite home.'"

One thousand total affordable housing units across 51 developments have been completed in Newark, with 500 more, including Springfield Village's, to come, according to Meyer.

"This city can't come back and simply push out the indigenous population," said Mayor Cory Booker.