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STATE OF LOUISIANA <br /> �OF,L�Ufs,f DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL SERVICE <br /> ��_� k,,,°�9,� LOUISIANA BOARD OF ETHICS <br /> y � ` � 9 P.O. BOX 4368 <br /> v',' <br /> * �� `� * BATON ROUGE,LA 70821 <br /> c�H_o���E (225)219-5600 <br /> ...,o,... FAX:(225)381-7271 <br /> 1-800-842-6630 <br /> www.ethics.la.gov <br /> f�pl"L� 2, 2�26 <br /> I3renda Breaux <br /> Exeeutive Director, NORA <br /> 1409 O. C. �-Ialey Qoulevard <br /> New Orleans, L�1701 l 3 <br /> Re: Docket No. 2026-082 <br /> Advisory Opinion <br /> llear Ms. 13reaux: <br /> 'l,he I,ouisiana Board of Ethics ("I3oard"), at its meeting on April 2, 2026, considered your rec�t�est <br /> fot• an advisoty opinion as to whether the Code of Governmental Ethics ("Code") perinits your <br /> eil�ployer, New Orleans Redevelopment Autllority, to enter �into a contract witl� your husba��d's <br /> einployer. <br /> FAc'�'s PRov�nH�� <br /> You are the Executive I�)irector of tl�e New Orleans Redevelopment Authority ("NORA"), a public <br /> body corporate and politic created pursuant to La. R.S. 33:4720.55. NORA's priinary mission is <br /> the revitalization of underinvested areas in the City of New Orleans, including, but not limited to, <br /> �lev�loping and constructing properties �for affoi•dable housing a��d economic developmenti to <br /> benef�it poor and needy po�pulati�ns. <br /> NORA issued a Request for Qualifiications and Pr<�posals("RFQ")seeking entities to design, build, <br /> and opera.tc a non-congregate l�ousiug facility for tl�e homeless population in the C�ity of New <br /> Orlearis. Tl�is development project will be 1�L�nded with federal fi�nding under the Amei•ican IZescue <br /> Flan Act of 2021. "I'he project's scope includ�s facility design and constructio��, 24/7 support <br /> services,a.nd on-sitE case manageinent for the l�om�less population served by the�tacility. Tl1e only <br /> �roposal received in response to NORA's RFQ came fro�n a j�int venture team comprised of HIZI <br /> Con�lrnunities, I_,LC ("HRI") and "I'ravelers flid Societv o�f Greater New Orleans ("T�SGNO"). <br /> 'ThE° proposal p�covides tl�at I-1RI will serve as the hoLising develo�er and '1 ASGNO will servc as <br /> the �1on-profit i-esidenl supportive services provider for tt�e facility. <br /> Your husband, Donald "Troutman, l�as been an l�ourly wage-earning employee of�1'ASUNO since <br /> Oct��bcr 2024. I-le works as a Law Erii�orcement Assistance Caseworker a��d is generally <br /> responsible 1-or housing placement and suppot•t services. As a non-rnanagerial support woi-ker, Mr. <br /> Troutman had no knowledge of NORA's RFQ and did i�o� participate in the joint venture's <br /> proposal response. Aiso, ilis com�nensatior� lrom T'�1�UNO would not be affected by a contract <br /> with NORA. <br /> Pa�e 1 of 4 (13D ?('26-(i82) <br /> AN EI�UAL(�PPOr'?T�Jr.lTY Ef✓IPLO t�R <br />