Travelers Aid Society, Louvis Services and Tulane University unveil Tiny Home Project to support an unhoused resident in New Orleans

Written By Alicia Vial

Local organizations unite to open a new tiny home duplex in the Lower 9th Ward

NEW ORLEANS – On Friday, May 16, 2025, a powerful example of community collaboration came to life with the unveiling of a new tiny home duplex in the Lower 9th Ward. This innovative project, a joint effort between Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans, Louvis Services, and Tulane University School of Architecture, will provide crucial supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.

The tiny duplex was developed through a collaborative effort between Louvis Services and a group of students from Tulane to increase access to dignified housing options for New Orleans’ most vulnerable populations. This project is the latest step in the commitment by all three organizations to create permanent solutions to homelessness throughout the city.

“This partnership exemplifies what’s possible when we come together to prioritize people over systems,” said Donna Paramore, CEO of Travelers Aid Society. “Housing is a fundamental human right, and projects like this tiny home duplex reflect our mission to provide not just shelter, but the services and relationships that lead to long-term stability.”

Travelers Aid will play a vital role by providing comprehensive case management and essential supportive services for the new resident. This includes employment resources and ongoing guidance designed to empower the resident to thrive in their new home.

Louvis Services, celebrating 10 years of service, will assume ownership and ongoing maintenance of the property. The organization’s commitment to creating housing solutions for unhoused individuals in precarious situations across the city makes them an ideal partner in this collaborative endeavor.

“Our vision is to create more than just homes. We aim to build pathways out of homelessness,” said Lou Anne White, Executive Director of Louvis Services. “With this duplex, we’re offering these individuals a chance to rebuild their lives in a safe, supportive environment and we’re proud to do that in partnership with Travelers Aid.”

To learn more about the other finished projects, you can visit Tulane's URBANbuild website.

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About Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans:
Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans is a 501 (c)(3) organization that works to end homelessness. Its vision is for New Orleans to be a place where everyone has a safe place to call home. Travelers Aid Society acknowledges the harmful systems that contribute to homelessness and housing insecurity. The organization aims to recognize and work against racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism and other forms of discrimination that impact housing access. Travelers Aid Society strives to keep learning, listening, adapting and advocating in order to achieve just outcomes for those that need it most.

Alicia Vial

Alicia Vial is a New Orleans native with more than a decade of experience elevating client stories and leading crisis response. As the senior director of strategy, Alicia acts as a leader within the Gambel Communications team ensuring each agency team member is positioned to deliver strategic public relations services that meet the highest standards of the industry. In addition to supporting the agency’s long-term business growth and development, she coordinates day-to-day account services and oversees strategic direction while staying abreast of best practices and industry trends to provide innovative solutions to meet client’s needs.

Before joining Gambel Communications, Alicia served as the communications director for the Louisiana SPCA, the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Louisiana that impacts more than 74,000 animals per year. During her nearly eight-year tenure, Alicia oversaw numerous crises, served on national communication taskforces, oversaw all aspects of internal and external relations and worked alongside the development department to raise critical funding. Prior to that, she worked in the fast-paced New Orleans hospitality industry focusing on digital public relations for multiple hotels.

Alicia is a member of the Public Relations Association of Louisiana (PRAL), Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF), a board member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) New Orleans Chapter and a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute. An accredited public relations practitioner (APR), Alicia is also certified in crisis communications, organizational leadership, content marketing and social media.

A well respected and trusted public relations practitioner, Alicia has been recognized by SPRF as a ‘Senior Practitioner of the Year’. Dubbed early on in her career as one to watch, she also received the ‘Rising Star’ award by PRAL and was profiled in St. Charles Avenue Magazine as part of their Young Bloods series. Most recently, she was recognized at PRSA’s annual Fleurish Awards and received four Awards of Excellence for her work along with the ‘Plate Spinner’ award for her efforts on the board of directors for the chapter.

An LSU graduate, Alicia received a bachelor's degree in mass communications with a concentration in public relations and minors in business administration and leadership development. She is a frequent speaker and presenter on public relations topics, most recently presenting at the Jefferson Economic Development Commission and SPRF annual conference.

When Alicia is not at work, you can find her at the ballpark with her three boys or cheering on the Tigers in Death Valley.

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