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Another Brad Pitt Make it Right home demolished in the Lower 9th Ward
Posted on 10/18/20 at 9:52 pm
Posted on 10/18/20 at 9:52 pm
Story
"NEW ORLEANS — One of the homes in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward built by Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation was torn down Tuesday after the city deemed it was in imminent danger of collapse.
The demolition is just the latest hiccup for the organization that built and sold new and uniquely designed homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"This is the second demolition of a new construction home,” said Constance Fowler, a neighbor who has lived in a Make It Right Home since 2014. "The home next me was 7 years old when it was demolished."
The most recent demolition sits on Reynes Street. It was built by the Make It Right Foundation and sold in 2011. Neighbors say there were first problems with mold and water intrusion. Eventually, Make It Right bought it back from the owner but then they did nothing, according to Fowler.
"Make it Right has owned it for many years and it's just been sitting here with the lawn mowed every two weeks and fresh paint on it hiding the problems," Fowler said.
The property sat, rotted and eventually became an eyesore.
"Everything from rodents to people going in and out,” said neighbor, Eric Dunbar, whose original 9th Ward home was replaced by a Make It Right house after Katrina. “You know, a lot of burglaries."
It isn't the only problem for the foundation. Over the years, neighbors have reported issues ranging from rotting wood, water leaks and foundation issues.
In 2018, attorney Ron Austin filed a lawsuit against Make It Right. Austin says the foundation's legal team has been defending, denying and delaying for months.
"It's really a slap in the face to the people of the community. Those people literally used their last dime to buy those homes," Austin said.
PREVIOUSLY: Judge: Brad Pitt, others can be sued over New Orleans homes
PREVIOUSLY: 'Reliving the nightmare:' Post-Katrina 'Make it Right' legal battle continues
The lawsuit accuses Make It Right of building and selling substandard houses. Make It Right has also sued John C. Williams architects. When we have talked to Williams in the past he has called that lawsuit baseless and insulting.
Dunbar isn’t a part of the lawsuit, but his Make It Right house leaks when it rains and he’d like some help.
"I reported it several times. They come out and look at it and say we are going to get to you and I haven't heard from them. It's been three years," he said."
"NEW ORLEANS — One of the homes in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward built by Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation was torn down Tuesday after the city deemed it was in imminent danger of collapse.
The demolition is just the latest hiccup for the organization that built and sold new and uniquely designed homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
"This is the second demolition of a new construction home,” said Constance Fowler, a neighbor who has lived in a Make It Right Home since 2014. "The home next me was 7 years old when it was demolished."
The most recent demolition sits on Reynes Street. It was built by the Make It Right Foundation and sold in 2011. Neighbors say there were first problems with mold and water intrusion. Eventually, Make It Right bought it back from the owner but then they did nothing, according to Fowler.
"Make it Right has owned it for many years and it's just been sitting here with the lawn mowed every two weeks and fresh paint on it hiding the problems," Fowler said.
The property sat, rotted and eventually became an eyesore.
"Everything from rodents to people going in and out,” said neighbor, Eric Dunbar, whose original 9th Ward home was replaced by a Make It Right house after Katrina. “You know, a lot of burglaries."
It isn't the only problem for the foundation. Over the years, neighbors have reported issues ranging from rotting wood, water leaks and foundation issues.
In 2018, attorney Ron Austin filed a lawsuit against Make It Right. Austin says the foundation's legal team has been defending, denying and delaying for months.
"It's really a slap in the face to the people of the community. Those people literally used their last dime to buy those homes," Austin said.
PREVIOUSLY: Judge: Brad Pitt, others can be sued over New Orleans homes
PREVIOUSLY: 'Reliving the nightmare:' Post-Katrina 'Make it Right' legal battle continues
The lawsuit accuses Make It Right of building and selling substandard houses. Make It Right has also sued John C. Williams architects. When we have talked to Williams in the past he has called that lawsuit baseless and insulting.
Dunbar isn’t a part of the lawsuit, but his Make It Right house leaks when it rains and he’d like some help.
"I reported it several times. They come out and look at it and say we are going to get to you and I haven't heard from them. It's been three years," he said."
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Posted on 10/18/20 at 9:55 pm to Baws
Posted on 10/18/20 at 9:57 pm to JetsetNuggs
Posted on 10/18/20 at 9:57 pm to Baws
They had their hearts and intentions in the right place, but built experimental green homes that lacked basic standards for this area.
Maybe those designs work in the dry bedrock of Cali.
Maybe those designs work in the dry bedrock of Cali.
This post was edited on 10/18/20 at 9:58 pm
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:00 pm to Baws
quote:
Dunbar isn’t a part of the lawsuit, but his Make It Right house leaks when it rains and he’d like some help.
"I reported it several times. They come out and look at it and say we are going to get to you and I haven't heard from them. It's been three years," he said."
These homes were bought by the occupants, yes?
They aren't tenants.
What kind of homeowner "reports" a leaking roof instead of fixing it or hiring a roofer?
Especially for 3 damn years.
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:00 pm to Baws
That Brad Pitt is a terrible human being!
I'm sure the Ninth Ward residents would be happier living on their vacant lot, than paying subsidized rates for one of those cheap Make It Right houses.
I'm sure the Ninth Ward residents would be happier living on their vacant lot, than paying subsidized rates for one of those cheap Make It Right houses.
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:03 pm to White Roach
MiR has bought back several houses.
In litigation for the defects.
Pitt has made comments in the past about how he really does want to make this right. I imagine the dollar amount causes the solution to be a bit more complicated.
In litigation for the defects.
Pitt has made comments in the past about how he really does want to make this right. I imagine the dollar amount causes the solution to be a bit more complicated.
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:07 pm to Baws
Maybe if the residents/owners of these homes had done the minimal upkeep/maintenance on the homes, they'd still be livable.
There is a reason there is section 8 and hud...
Home ownership isn't just about having your name on a piece of paper.. You do have to do constant upkeep to retain its value, and in habitability.
There is a reason there is section 8 and hud...
Home ownership isn't just about having your name on a piece of paper.. You do have to do constant upkeep to retain its value, and in habitability.
This post was edited on 10/18/20 at 10:09 pm
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:08 pm to Baws
From what I've heard, the people were given these homes and did almost (and in some cases, literally) zero maintenance or upkeep. Who knew you needed to do at least the bare minimum to keep a home from turning into a dilapidated shithole?
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:20 pm to Baws
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:32 pm to Baws
Well.. a free house.. you get what you pay for
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:36 pm to Baws
Probably framed with 18g nail gun.
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:38 pm to LSUFanHouston
Most of those homes that were standing til Katrina were made of cypress and other hardwoods built 70+ years ago.
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:39 pm to Roman Candle Tag
quote:
"I reported it several times. They come out and look at it and say we are going to get to you and I haven't heard from them. It's been three years," he said."
I'd be curious to hear what legal basis this guy has for expecting help with these issues. Sometimes with a newly built home you get a warranty, but it's been 15+ years since Katrina hit.
This is not to say that Make It Right didn't do a bunch of stupid shite, but what do you expect from some out-of-town do-gooder?
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:40 pm to Roman Candle Tag
quote:
What kind of homeowner "reports" a leaking roof instead of fixing it or hiring a roofer?
Posted on 10/18/20 at 10:55 pm to Baws
This is why you don’t ever feed the bears. They become dependent on it and stop looking to feed themselves. And then when they realize you’re giving them stale food they try to sue you.
Posted on 10/18/20 at 11:04 pm to Baws
Should have had Jimmy Carter's bunch build them. Oh, wait....
Posted on 10/18/20 at 11:43 pm to Baws
It sucks that Brad Pitt gets his name dragged through the mud when all he was trying to do was help.
Posted on 10/18/20 at 11:59 pm to Baws
I’m sure the homes had to be inspected and approved by the local district housing authorities. If there are proven issues( body of samples from multiple homes) they are as much to blame. If there isn’t the homeowners had a warranty time limit for issues after that it’s on the homeowner. Should have known how this would turn out after 10+ years.
Posted on 10/19/20 at 12:17 am to Baws
Brad can only do so much. He probably hired local contractors who cut corners.
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