Hurricane-hit families move into Pitt homes

FAMILIES are moving into the first six houses built through movie star Brad Pitt’s Make It Right foundation in Hurricane Katrina-ravaged New Orleans.

One home was already strewn with green garland, lights, wreaths and red bows but the actor admits there is much more to do.

Pitt said: “I’m really happy for the families that are going to be here, but I can’t help but think about the families that aren’t.

“It’s a push-pull for me. The excitement is that it’s being proven, that it’s working. The frustration is that we have a long way to go.”

Make It Right was launched by Pitt a year ago. The programme calls for the construction of 150 energy-efficient homes in a section of New Orleans washed away when Katrina broke levees on August 29, 2005.

So far, six homes have been built.

Two more are under way, and construction on another 14 begins in early 2009.

Pitt said: “You’re going to see 100 homes here, mark my words. It’s nice to see a few, but I’m anxious to see 100, 150, 1,000.”

Pitt said that by December 2009, the Lower Ninth Ward should be one of America’s largest “green” neighbourhoods.

Inez Converse, 71, said she is just happy to be back in the neighbourhood she lived in for more than 35 years before Katrina.

And she said she was glad she had the chance to thank Pitt personally.

“He didn’t have to do this,” she said. “I’m just grateful he is doing it.”