The Make It Right organization, Brad Pitt's LEED and Cradle-to-Cradle inspired efforts to bring sustainable homes to communities in need, is probably best none for its much publicized work in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans in the post-Hurrican Katrina climate. But the breadth of this organization's work stretches beyond this community rebuilding project. Make It Right has worked within several disadvantaged communities in an effort to build sustainable and supportive homes and neighborhoods through the development of residences, community centers and infrastructural elements, and by providing training and counseling.
MIR is working in Newark, New Jersey bringing residences to disabled veterans; in Kansas city, Montana the organization is rebuilding a blighted community within the neighborhood of Manheim Park; and most recently is partnering with Sioux and Assiniboine Native American tribe members to build sustainable homes on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana.
More on Make It Right's new work on the Fort Peck Reservation after the break.
The Fort Peck Reservation Sustainable Housing Project, announced just a few weeks ago, promises to build 20 sustainable homes for tribe members in need of housing. MIR addresses the under publicized needs of tribal communities living on reservations. Fort Peck covers thousands of acres and is home to nearly 6,000 Native Americans, with 600 families waiting for housing. The discussion over MIR's participation in Fort Peck began with a visit last year, where MIR staff were toured through the reservation where housing shortages and overcrowding is a chronic problem.
Stoney Anketell, Fort Peck Tribal Councilman said that the tribe's vision of housing and land stewardship are in line with Make It Right's goals of developing healthy and sustainable communities. The homes that will be designed will be available to tribe members with income levels at or below 60% of the Area Median Income, with a portion of the homes dedicated to senior adult and disabled veteran housing. The Low Income Housing Tax Credit Rent-to-Own program will be adopted where ownership is transferred to the tenant after 15 years of renting.
Make It Right's work will begin this month with community meetings between the MIR's architects and designers and tribal leaders and future homeowners. Construction work is scheduled to begin in March 2014 for the solar and geothermal powered homes which will be designed with 3-4 bedrooms and 2-3 bathrooms.
Read more about it here.
