The Hollywood star’s Make It Right Foundation, Brad Pitt, built 109 impressive and affordable homes in New Orleans for a community where many people were displaced by the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Now, this housing development is in disarray. The vast majority of newly built homes are fraught with construction problems that have led to mold, termites, rotten wood, floods and other troubles.
At least six have been abandoned. Many residents have filed lawsuits that are still pending. That is, a non-profit organization that built houses with the contribution of Frank Gehry and other eminent architects amid many great promises to the survivors of a huge disaster and then led to another disaster.
Structural and other problems make many residents fear for their health. Make It Right, although it may suggest its name, has not resolved these issues and has stopped helping residents. Instead, Brad Pitt’s nonprofit has apparently collapsed, according to Fast Company.
A supposedly sustainable housing
Located in the historically low-income, African-American Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans, this affordable housing complex built between 2008 and 2015 was unusual for a number of reasons. It should be noted that these houses were sold, instead of rented, to their tenants.
The architects who created these houses also tried to make them green and sustainable by following a “bottom-up” philosophy that focuses on the use of safe and reusable materials, clean water and renewable energy sources. All homes had solar panels and energy efficient heating and cooling systems.
Make It Right reported $ 26.8 million in housing spending, which falls short of the group’s original target of 150 homes. To make the homes affordable, they sold for less than their construction cost, mostly about $ 150,000.
Make It Right also tried to revitalize the Lower Ninth Ward and bring people together. For example, he built a community garden and held regular meetings for new homeowners.
Brad Pitt, who received the credit for founding the organization in 2007 and often served as a public figure in the following years, was still on the board from 2018. Many of the homes did not have the usual, basic features, such as Rain gutters, ledges, waterproof paint or covered beams — all of these are necessary to withstand New Orleans’s subtropical climate and heavy rainfall.
Pete’s lawyers argued he could not be sued for housing development failures, but a judge ruled in 2019 that the movie star would remain indicted for his role as founder and head of Make It Right.
“Completely miserable”
A resident of Make It Right had to leave his home during major renovations that ultimately did not resolve all the issues he was facing. “They had a second chance to do it wrong, not correct it again,” Harry said. “They did it wrong twice.”
As of early 2022, six homes have been vacated due to mold, rot, flooding and various structural problems. Hannah, a young homeowner, left her home in Make It Right, which was later demolished.
Only eight months after she moved, Hannah reported that her house was “completely in ruins.” Its flat roof could not withstand the heavy rainfall of New Orleans, causing huge water infiltration and subsequent mold and termite infestation.
Hannah struggles with health problems caused by toxic mold. “I would like to say that there is always a silver lining, but with this situation, I really do not see silver because it really changed a lot of my plans for myself in life,” he said.
A web of legal turmoil
When Make It Right failed to provide the assistance requested by the residents, several homeowners filed lawsuits. According to information, this trial is still pending. Some residents also blame local authorities.
“We also have a problem with the city, because those who inspect [το σπίτι] and they’s supposed to keep it safe, they didn’t do it, “said Claire, who has sought the involvement of the New Orleans Department of Homeland Security.
The agency apparently failed to file Form 990, an annual paperwork required by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from all nonprofits, covering any year from 2018. Local media have reported that a bank is suing the nonprofit. His website is down and the phone number he included in the 2018 IRS documents is down.
Even the person who mows the lawn on vacant Make It Right properties told reporters that his non-profit owes him money. Make It Right, in turn, is suing many former executives and its chief architect for alleged mismanagement.
Who pays in the end?
As one of the abandoned properties becomes a security risk, the city takes action to seize it. Make It Right’s 2018 IRS deposits show that until then it spent more on legal services than on construction and maintenance.
This reflects the experiences of residents who have not seen evidence of the organization’s commitment to their community for years. Many start paying for out-of-pocket repairs instead of waiting for the non-profit maker to resolve the issues caused by its poor construction.
“I did most of the work myself,” said Mario. “The roof tiles on the terrace were falling and the wood was rotten, so I replaced it, little by little, you know, so that we could afford it.”
Despite their experiences, some residents said they still believed that the founder of Make It Right had good intentions. “I do not blame Brad Pitt,” said David, another resident. “He had a vision to build low-income homes and get people back to the Lower Ninth Ward.”
Source: News Beast
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