*Brad Pitt on Monday launched a new effort to build at least 150 eco-friendly homes in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward by the end of next summer.

"I'm hoping we can expand here and expand over into the rest of New Orleans," the 43-year-old actor said in an interview on NBC's "Today" show as he walked through the hurricane-ravaged neighborhood.

The initiative, called Make It Right, is part of Pitt's ongoing effort to rebuild in the area following Hurricane Katrina. Pitt has also worked with the environmental organization Global Green USA to build five single-family homes and an 18-unit apartment complex and community center. Earlier this year, he and girlfriend Angelina Jolie bought a mansion in the city's French Quarter for $3.5 million.

Pitt has donated $5 million toward the project from his own pocket and is currently campaigning for more financial contributions.

"I mean, this is really an adopt-a-house campaign," he said. "I'm asking for foundations, for high net-worth individuals, for church groups, for corporations to come in and adopt a house - basically, $150,000 will get a family back in their home."

Pitt has teamed up with 13 architects for the project, and explained that each home will be built on stilts as a precaution against the threat of flooding. He said design requirements for the homes were "affordability, sustainability, safety - and that they be beautiful."