HRI Communities (HRIC), in partnership with local and state leaders and private partners, today celebrated the ribbon cutting of West Tunnel Lofts, a new mixed-income, disaster-resilient apartment community located at 1368 West Tunnel Boulevard in Houma. The $16.3 million project introduces 40 new residential units to Terrebonne Parish, offering a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments designed to serve a range of income levels.
Located on a previously underutilized site, the new development features 34 one-bedroom and 6 two-bedroom apartments, with 32 of the units designated as workforce housing for families earning up to 60% of the Area Median Income. The community also offers a range of amenities designed to support quality of life and foster connection among residents. These include a fitness center, a community room, and an outdoor picnic area with grills set beneath the shade of a mature oak tree, creating inviting spaces for recreation and gathering.
“West Tunnel Lofts represents our continued commitment to creating high-quality, resilient housing that meets the needs of Louisiana communities,” said Josh Collen, President of HRI Communities. “For nearly three decades, HRI has been a part of the Houma-Terrebonne community, owning and operating Bonne Terre Village I and II and Barataria Station I and II in downtown Houma. We truly appreciate our long-standing collaboration with local leaders and state partners that allowed us to develop West Tunnel Lofts as a response to the severe need for affordable and workforce housing in the wake of Hurricane Ida. This development not only brings new housing opportunities to Houma but also reflects the strength of public-private partnerships in delivering thoughtfully designed communities that support long-term disaster resiliency, housing stability and economic growth.”
“The provision of safe, affordable housing remains one of my administration’s top priorities,” said Terrebonne Parish President Jason W. Bergeron. “Hurricane Ida significantly impacted Terrebonne Parish’s housing stock, and the West Tunnel Lofts project represents a critical investment in our community’s recovery and long‑term resilience. I am grateful for HRI’s continued partnership and their commitment to rebuilding and strengthening Terrebonne Parish.”
“Quality, affordable housing is a key element of a strong and secure state,” said Terrebonne Parish Councilman Clayton Voisin.
West Tunnel Lofts is among the first apartment communities in Terrebonne Parish to follow industry-leading standards in sustainability. The property was constructed in accordance with the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIED Multifamily Gold Standard and earned Green Building Certification through Enterprise Green Communities. These measures enhance durability, reduce environmental impact, and improve the overall living experience for residents. Beyond its physical impact, West Tunnel Lofts has meaningfully contributed to local economic development through housing construction. Thanks to the extensive outreach efforts of the design-build general contractor, RNGD Builders, LLC, the project generated approximately $2 million in participation from local businesses and vendors, helping to support small enterprises and strengthen the regional economy.
“This project is a testament to what’s possible when strong partners come together with a shared commitment to community,” said Christopher Dupre, Sector Leader of Housing & Multifamily for RNGD Builders, LLC. “We’re incredibly proud to stand alongside HRI, ILSI, Terrebonne Parish, and LHC to deliver high-quality affordable housing that meets both the immediate and long-term needs of this region. But developments like this are about much more than the Bricks and Sticks. They’re about creating opportunity, investing in local talent, strengthening the workforce, and ensuring that the benefits of this work are felt far beyond these walls. When we build with intention, when we prioritize partnerships, people, and place, we’re not just delivering housing. We’re helping build a stronger, more resilient community that will serve families for generations to come.”
Strategic partnerships played a key role in the project’s success on multiple levels. Integrated Logistical Support, Inc. (ILSI), a New Orleans–based minority- and women-owned business enterprise (M/WBE), holds an ownership interest in the Managing Member of West Tunnel Lofts alongside HRIC. In addition to its ownership role, ILSI served as the civil engineering firm for the development, including the design of a robust stormwater management system that supports long-term site performance and resilience.
“We are incredibly proud to be part of West Tunnel Lofts,” said Iam Christian Tucker, President/CEO, ILSI Engineering. “This project represents resilience, recovery, and a real investment in the future of Houma. While this is our first step into the ownership side of development, it is built on decades of experience in civil engineering and stormwater management, work rooted in protecting communities and building for the long term. I also want to recognize our incredible team at ILSI, led by Ruhan Isim, P.E., Head of Engineering and Technical Services and Partner, whose expertise, leadership, and attention to detail helped bring this project to life. We are especially grateful to our partners at HRI Communities and RNGD, who brought us in for our expertise, our acumen, and our attention to detail, not simply for the acronyms we carry. That trust means everything. To the Louisiana Housing Corporation and all of our public and private partners, thank you for choosing a team that believes in this project and in the people of Houma. We understand these decisions carry weight, and we are grateful for the opportunity to deliver. We’re proud to be part of it, and even prouder to deliver on it.”
Financial sources for West Tunnel Lofts include a construction-to-permanent loan from Legacy Bank & Trust, Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) equity from U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, a Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Resiliency (“CDBG-DR”) loan from the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD) through the Piggyback Resilience Initiative – Mixed Income (PRIME-3) program; and a subordinate loan from Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government. The project also benefits from a Payment-in-Lieu-of-Tax (“PILOT”) agreement with the Houma-Terrebonne Public Trust Financing Authority.
“West Tunnel Lofts represents exactly the kind of forward-looking investment we strive to make with our disaster recovery resources,” said Gina Campo, Executive Director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development. “Through a $6.3 million investment from LOCD’s PRIME-3 program, we are transforming a long-vacant site into high-quality, resilient housing for working families in Houma. This project reflects our commitment not just to rebuilding after storms, but to building stronger, safer, and more sustainable communities for the future.”
“LHC set aside $4 million for rural area projects, $2 million for the rehabilitation sub-pool and $2 million for the new construction sub-pool to ensure affordable housing developments and opportunities are everywhere in our state,” explains Kevin Delahoussaye, LHC’s Executive Director. “We want to ensure that every Louisiana resident has access to obtain affordable housing options no matter where they are located.”
“We’re honored to support West Tunnel Lofts as a tax credit equity investor, working with long-time client HRI to create 40 new units of housing in Houma, LA,” said Jeff Schroeder, senior project manager in affordable housing at U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, the community development and environmental finance division of U.S. Bank. “This is a great example of how our financing solutions help our clients expand access to affordable housing and help build a foundation of financial stability for future residents.”
“Legacy Bank & Trust is proud to support the development of West Tunnel Lofts in Houma through both construction and permanent financing,” said Ken Overshiner, SVP, Affordable Housing. “As a nationally recognized Top 25 Lender by Affordable Housing Finance, we are committed to expanding access to quality, attainable housing, and HRI Communities continues to set the standard in delivering thoughtful developments that strengthen the communities they serve. West Tunnel Lofts is a strong example of that ongoing impact in Terrebonne Parish.”
As part a larger effort to address housing needs in Terrebonne Parish following the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ida in 2022, West Tunnel Lofts exemplifies the potential of public-private partnerships to deliver high-impact community benefits.
