How Brad Pitt Transformed The Lives Of Katrina-Affected Families In New Orleans
On the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Brad Pitt (left, in New Orleans) is celebrating the success of his Make It Right project – which has built 109 brightly colored, storm-proof homes for families who lost their houses, livelihoods – and loved ones – in the 2005 disaster (inset). The A-list actor admitted: ‘I get this well of pride when I see this little oasis of color.’ He persuaded some of the world’s best architects, including Shigeru Ban, Thom Mayne, and even Frank Gehry, to design the futuristic homes in the Lower Ninth Ward, which was reduced to a swamp of mud and debris by Katrina. Pitt, who owns a home in the city with his wife Angelina Jolie, loves to drive around the transformed neighborhood and chat to residents as they enjoy their new homes (center and right). The dad of six said: ‘I see people on their porch, and I ask them how is their house treating them? And they say, “Good.” And I say what’s your utility bill? And they’ll throw something out like, ’24 bucks’ or something, and I feel fantastic.’
