When it comes to rebuilding the Big Easy after Hurricane Katrina, Brad Pitt is putting his money where his mouth is.
Redoubling his efforts to help restore New Orleans to its glory days, the actor/do-gooder turned up at Wednesday's meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative in New York City and announced plans to team up with real-estate tycoon Steve Bing to create more than 150 affordable, eco-friendly homes in the Crescent City's devastated Lower Ninth Ward.
The endeavor is the first program in Pitt's new Make It Right project, which aims to revive the community and culture of one of New Orleans' poorest neighborhoods, which was wiped out in September 2005 when floodwaters breached the levees and engulfed the city.
Pitt appeared at the third annual gathering of former president Bill Clinton's nonprofit foundation, which seeks to bring together global leaders to work toward solving some of the world's most pressing problems. The Ocean's Thirteen star challenged attendees to support his campaign to make New Orleans livable again for displaced residents, many of whom don't have the money to rebuild.
Pitt pledged to match $5 million in contributions to Make It Right, while Bing promised the same, bringing the total to $10 million in matching funds.
"The heart and soul of New Orleans, specifically the people of the Lower Ninth Ward, are paramount to this project," said the 43-year-old actor.
"The words of one elderly man who is determined to return to New Orleans led to the name of our organization: He asked us, directly, simply and profoundly, to help make it right. So that's what we're doing. We're going to help make it right with 150 sustainable, affordable houses—houses that stand out for their design both aesthetically and structurally, so that these people can live in beautiful safe structures that respect their spirit and provide a good quality of life."
Make It Right will also provide a finance plan for residents who wish to return to the neighborhood without incurring huge debts.
"We're prepared to break ground by the end of the year, but we need your help," Pitt added.
This isn't the first such New Orleans-centric initiative from Pitt, who is a part-time resident himself after he and partner Angelina Jolie purchased a home there last January.
The actor and architecture enthusiast launched a design competition in April 2006 with nonprofit Global Green USA. Underwritten with $100,000 of his own money, the contest sought plans for sustainable, low-income housing for the Lower Ninth. Pitt announced the winning design last September—on the first anniversary of Katrina—and paid a visit there a few weeks ago to check on the building progress.
He and Jolie also hosted an intimate Hamptons soiree in August that drew about 70 bigwigs to raise money for both campaigns.
Speaking of Jolie, the 32-year-old U.N. Goodwill Ambassador is set to meet in the Big Apple this week with Britain's new foreign secretary, David Miliband, to discuss global diplomacy.
As for Pitt, when he's not taking time out to save the world, the one-time Oscar nominee is hanging with pal George Clooney across the East River, shooting Burn After Reading, a CIA spy-caper comedy from the Coen brothers.
After that wraps, Pitt will then join forces with his fellow Fight Clubber, Edward Norton, for State of Play, a drama about a reporter caught up in a murder case involving a politician.
Pitt is also in talks to star in The Fighter, playing a disgraced boxer who turns his life around in time to mentor his half-brother (Mark Wahlberg) in a bid for a world title.
Pitt's latest film, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, is now in theaters.