Make It Right Foundation, spearheaded initially by actor Brad Pitt, the builder of the Lower 9th Ward collection of architecturally stunning, but woefully non-weather resilient houses has stuck a deal to pay more than $20-million to solve lawsuits over the entire project.
Though the deal still needs to be approved by a judge, this would mean payouts of thousands of dollars to upwards of 107 homeowners.
The money would go to make repairs to the homes which are saddled with issues like leaks, rot, and other problems, according to the Times-Picayune/New Orleans Advocate.
Pitt’s cache wasn’t enough to head off a class action lawsuit as early as September 2018 alleging the homes were built shoddily, leaked, suffered wood rot, structural damage and mold intrusion. The suit also exposed problems with heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical malfunctions and faulty plumbing.
Since then, Make It Right has been embroiled in numerous lawsuits of its own and from homeowners.
Residents of the homes may be able to sue the Foundation individually after the settlement is reached and signed off by a judge.
The nonprofit Global Green organization is overseeing the settlements.
