The Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority (HTHA) supports the principles of transparency and public accountability, and we uphold the right of the public to access records in accordance with the Louisiana Constitution and applicable state law. Article XII, Section 3 of the Louisiana Constitution provides that “no person shall be denied the right to observe the deliberations of public bodies and examine public documents, except in cases established by law.” HTHA complies with the Louisiana Public Records Law as codified in La. R.S. 44:1 et seq., and all statutory exceptions found in La. R.S. 44:4.1.
That said, this right is not unlimited. The Louisiana Legislature and judiciary have clearly established that public access must be balanced with reasonable limitations and procedures to protect sensitive information, respect operational capacity, and prevent abusive or burdensome requests. At HTHA, our priority is serving residents, managing construction and redevelopment projects, and coordinating resources that support the long-term resilience of our community. Public records access must not interfere with these responsibilities.
HTHA processes public records requests with care and in compliance with state law, but the request process is formal and deliberate. Requests must be made in writing and must clearly specify the records being sought. General, vague, or overly broad requests—such as requests for “all documents related to” or requests that could encompass thousands of pages—will not be fulfilled without clarification. HTHA reserves the right to require specificity before initiating a search and to limit or reject requests that are unduly burdensome, disruptive, or not intended for a legitimate purpose.
HTHA will make every reasonable effort to respond to properly submitted requests within three business days. However, this timeframe may be extended based on the size or complexity of the request, the availability of staff, or the need for legal review. If it is determined that requested records are exempt from disclosure or are not public under Louisiana law, HTHA will provide written notice and explanation.
We encourage all requesters to consider whether the information they seek is already publicly available on our website or through other public channels. Our goal is to make information accessible while protecting staff time and taxpayer resources from misuse. Public records requests should be approached with the same level of seriousness and focus as the work they concern.
To submit a public records request, please provide a detailed written request including your full name, contact information, the specific records you are seeking, and the format in which you prefer to receive them.
For Public records request can be mailed to Nikita Gilton, P.O. Box 3816, Houma, LA 70361 or email to ngilton@hthousing.com
HTHA reserves the right to withhold records until all applicable fees are paid in full. All invoices must be paid before copies, digital files, or fulfillment services are delivered. For requests requiring multiple hours of labor, cross-departmental coordination, or legal review, a cost estimate and deposit invoice will be provided before processing begins.
