Monday, March 15, 2010

Robert Green and "Make it Right" in New Orleans

I met this man yesterday. He lost his granddaughter and his mother during Katrina. The storm moved his house over fifteen blocks from where the foundation stood. All that remains are the concrete steps he stands on in that picture. He invited me, Charles, and a group we were with into his house to share his story.

Within the past five years since Katrina hit, Robert Green has been getting a lot of press and is the subject of much art because he is living in the "Make it Right" Neighborhood that Brad Pitt has committed himself to build in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. Brad Pitt has raised over 100 million in funds to pay architects and developers to build very interesting-looking, sustainable, and affordable structures where the homes of families like the Green's once stood. The program is very interesting in that it only allows certain people live in the neighborhood. One of the parameters is that the family must have had several generations living in New Orleans. Also, if the family living in the new home (and paying a monthly mortgage + property taxes) stays for five years, they are relieved of the remainder of the mortgage.
Here's a few examples of the innovative design used on the homes:

This is but one of the extremely interesting (and also very random) things I've come across in New Orleans. I've only been here for one day!