Brad Pitt is not only a seasoned, and very popular, actor, but he is also a philanthropist. His non-profit organization, Make It Right, is responsible for building over 100 safe and energy-efficient homes in the areas of New Orleans hit hardest by Hurricane Katrina. Now Brad is turning his attention to poor Native Americans in Montana.
Why help is needed
The Sioux and Assiniboine tribes living on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana are in desperate need of housing. Their current living conditions are abominable. There are as many as nine families living in one house, and most of the housing is poorly built and unhealthy. The decent homes have a long waiting list -- 600 people are waiting for homes. Unemployment at over 50 percent leaves these people with no where to turn.
About the project
Make It Right will build 20 sustainable, energy-efficient homes on the reservation. They will be 3-4 bedroom homes with 2-3 bathrooms. The homes are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) homes with the highest LEED rating level of platinum. LEED was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). What this means to the tribes living on Fort Peck is that they will have new, safe homes that will be easy to maintain and solar powered for energy efficiency.
About the program
To qualify, tribe members need income at or below 60 percent of the area median income. The program includes a Rent-To-Own benefit which allows ownership of the home to transfer to the tribe member after they have rented for 15 years. A percentage of the homes being built are reserved for veterans. Construction is to begin this year.
For more details, visit www.MakeItRight.org
