New Orleans residents commemorated last Saturday the 10th year since Hurricane Katrina hit their place. And there is no personality who has his heart and mind directly involved in the progress of the place after homes were ruined and 1,800 lives lost than actor Brad Pitt. Pitt organized the foundation 'Make It Right ', backed by no less than 20 internationally renowned architects , with the primary objective of building 150 houses as a replacement for the numerous destroyed homes in Lower Ninth Ward, the hardest hit by the hurricane .
The road leading to the achievement of the goal was never easy. "We went into it incredibly naïve,"Pitt shared with the New Orleans Times-Picayune, "just thinking we can build homes - how hard is that?" He admitted he never had the slightest idea of the bureaucratic snags they had to hurdle, forgivable loan structure, lot rights, HUD grants and family financial counselling.
Today, 109 durable, brightly-colored and eco-friendly homes, designed by no less than the industry's big names like Thom Mayne, Shigeru Ban and even Frank Gehry, line up the place. They are made from non-toxic, recyclable materials and solar panels, complete with energy-efficient appliances. The homes effectively reflect the belief of Pitt that low - income housing need not use use "the cheapest materials that keep families in a poverty trap." However costly the initial materials used may be, it is seen that they will contribute to the improvement of life later on.
Pitt says he is fascinated with the result of what they at the foundation worked hard for. As he goes around the neighbourhood and converses with the homeowners while they are sitting on their porches, "I say what your utility bill is? And they'll throw something out like, '24 bucks' or something, and I feel fantastic. It's a reminder of why we're there, "he shared.
In fact, the area is now one of New Orleans' tourist attractions. More houses are on the way with Make It Right foundation breaking ground on new projects monthly. To check on their progress, you may visit www.makeitright.org.
