West Tunnel Lofts
Size of Project
40,000 SF
Number of Units
40
Location
Houma, LA
Owner
HRI Communities
Industry
Multi-Family
Type
New Construction
Status
Completed in 2026
Architect
HCI Architecture
Overview
Building Resilience Where It Matters Most
In Houma, Louisiana, housing resilience is not a theoretical discussion, it is a daily reality shaped by storms, flooding, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining safe, reliable housing for working families. West Tunnel Lofts was developed by HRI Communities to address that need directly, transforming a long-vacant parcel into a new resilient housing community designed for long-term stability.
The $16.3 million development delivers forty new apartments, including one and two bedroom units, with eighty percent designated as affordable or workforce housing. Some units are reserved for residents earning sixty percent of the area median income or below, while others include permanent supportive housing supported by Louisiana Housing Authority vouchers. Together, the project provides a balanced mix of housing options that supports both affordability and long-term community growth.
Designed to Withstand What Comes Next
In coastal Louisiana, building housing means planning for the next storm before the first resident ever moves in. West Tunnel Lofts was designed with that reality in mind, incorporating resilience strategies that go beyond traditional building standards to help residents remain safe, comfortable, and secure when severe weather strikes.
Working closely with the development and design teams, RNGD delivered the project to meet the rigorous requirements of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIED Multifamily Gold standard, one of the most demanding resilience certifications for multifamily buildings. Achieving this designation requires strengthened structural connections throughout the building, including a continuous load path from roof to foundation and enhanced roof attachment systems designed to better withstand hurricane-force winds.
RNGD also worked to ensure the project achieved Enterprise Green Communities certification, integrating energy-efficient systems and sustainable design elements that support long-term durability and reduced operating costs. The building was elevated above the floodplain, incorporates flood-resistant materials along the lower portions of the structure, and includes a backup generator to maintain critical power during outages. Together with enhanced insulation and Energy Star appliances, these features help create homes that are more resilient, efficient, and comfortable for residents living in South Louisiana’s challenging climate.
Through careful coordination during preconstruction and construction, RNGD helped bring these standards to life, demonstrating the team’s ability to deliver resilient, high-performance housing designed for the realities of the Gulf Coast.
A Collaborative, Design-Build Approach to Deliver the Project
RNGD delivered West Tunnel Lofts using a design-build approach that allowed the team to align design, construction, and procurement decisions early in the process. During preconstruction, the team worked closely with the developer and design partners to adjust the building program and ensure the project remained financially viable while still meeting resilience and sustainability standards.
Value engineering played a major role in achieving that balance. Adjustments such as façade changes and reduced balcony counts helped offset the high costs associated with site utilities and infrastructure work outside the property line, allowing the project to remain aligned with its complex financing structure while maintaining the durability and quality expectations of the development.
Construction itself relied on disciplined coordination and proactive planning with trade partners. RNGD implemented a phase-based coordination strategy, bringing subcontractors together well before each stage of work to review sequencing, identify potential conflicts, and align schedules. This approach allowed the team to maintain steady progress despite site constraints, keeping all trades aligned as the project advanced from foundations through finishes.
Delivering Long-Term Value for Houma
Today, West Tunnel Lofts stands as a new model for resilient housing in Terrebonne Parish. The development delivers forty new apartments designed for durability, efficiency, and affordability, giving residents access to modern amenities including a fitness center, community room, and outdoor gathering spaces that support daily life and community connection.
The project also demonstrates the impact of collaboration between public, private, and community partners. Financing from the Louisiana Housing Corporation, disaster recovery funding, local government support, and private investment combined to make the development possible, showing how coordinated partnerships can deliver meaningful housing solutions in storm-impacted communities.
Beyond the building itself, the project created meaningful local impact during construction. More than $2 million in spending supported local businesses across Terrebonne Parish, reinforcing the project’s commitment to strengthening the community both during construction and long after residents move in.
For Houma residents, West Tunnel Lofts represents more than new apartments. It provides resilient homes designed for the realities of coastal Louisiana, housing that allows people to live, work, and rebuild their lives in a community built to withstand the storms ahead.
