I am a native New Orleanian and post yearly online Katrina updates for my customers around the country. I came back home 3 1/2 months after she hit NOLA.  Here are pictures I took today, August 27th, 2009 in the lower 9th ward which was devestated by Katrina.

The contemporary style homes you see in the slide show are all built by Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation.  The little cottage featured is not a Make It Right Home, but was privately built.  There is little rebuilding happening in the lower 9th ward with the exception of the Make It Right homes.  Not enough is being done to rebuild back this neighborhood in my opinion.  It is a neighborhood that has a very rich history of jazz musicians and Mardi Gras Indians calling it home.  Some people have come back, but many have relocated to other neighborhoods.

At times when you drive off the street where the Brad Pitt homes have been built, you almost feel like your car will be "eaten" by 7 foot weeds.  It is the weirdest feeling.  There are times when I am shooting film back in that neighborhood and I feel like I am the only one around. It is utterly quiet with the exception of a chainsaw in the background or hammering off in the distance on some home being rebuilt.   Through the years I have stopped while shooting pictures and asked myself, "What happened to the people that lived in this house? What happened to the congregation of that church? Where are they now?"  And, I will not ever know.

Additionally, here is the link to my 4th Anniversary letter which is posted to my blog: http://blog.hedesigns.com/2010/07/4th-anniversary-of-katrina-update/

Much Love to all those who want to see NOLA prosper.