From the desk of Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director of Government & Public Affairs

The AIA|LA Government Outreach (GO!) Committee recently met with Jamie Thompson – Senior Legislative Assistant, Congressman Adam B. Schiff to learn more about the newly proposed Affordable Housing and Childcare Investment Act, which is currently looking for a co-sponsor.

According to Ms. Thomposon,  the Affordable Housing and Childcare Investment Act will “support stable and robust funding for HUD’s HOME Investment Partnership Program and provide additional funding for the program’s ability to build new and rehabilitate existing childcare facilities.”  She emphasizes that “The HOME Program is critical in ensuring state and local governments can provide decent, affordable housing and supportive services. The program also helps fund and expand the capacity of nonprofit housing providers and encourages private-public partnerships and cooperation. The bill would fund HOME at $1.5 billion annually and provide an additional $500 million for childcare centers.”

Rep. Schiff is asking for AIA National to support this effort and also requested feedback from LA architects.  GO! leadership responded with the following quotes:

“The current proposal, to provide secure, stable, and predictable funding for HUD’s important HOME Investment Partnership Program could not come at a more important time. As we, across the country and, particularly in the Greater Los Angeles Region, continue to focus on the provision of safe housing for vulnerable populations we have found that the predictability and stability of funding sources is among our greatest challenges.

As an architect deeply involved in the provision of childcare for many of these same populations, I welcome and applaud the vision of Congressman Schiff’s proposal, recognizing the essential linkages between housing, community, and supporting families.”

 – Chava Danielson, AIA – Vice President/ 2025 President-elect, AIA Los Angeles & Principal, DSH // architecture

“By leveraging federal funding with local resources, HOME enables communities in California to address their specific affordable housing needs while increasing the availability of safe, dignified, affordable housing options for our most vulnerable individuals and families. Given the work we have left to do, the program’s funding is needed now more than ever.

The flexibility of HOME funds allows for innovative approaches to sustainable design and construction practices, aligning with the goals of architects like myself, focused on creating environmentally conscious and inclusive housing solutions.”

 – Carlos Augusto Garcia, AIA, NCARB, WELL AP
Associate Principal, Brooks + Scarpa
Director, AIA Los Angeles Board of Directors
Leadership Group, AIA National Committee on the Environment

AIA NATIONAL’s Anne Law shares a status update about other current & pending legislation.

Below is the list of current bills that AIA National has taken a position on to date on the affordable housing issue.

• Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act (HR 3507/S. 1688)

o   Summary: Requires HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program recipients to submit to HUD information regarding their implementation of specific land- use policies, such as policies for expanding high-density single-family and multi-family housing.

o   The YIMBY Act was one of the two bills AIA members advocated for during the 2023 Lobby Day.

• Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act (AHCIA) (HR 3238/ S. 1557)

o   Summary: Improves and expands the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) by increasing LIHTC allocations by 50% over current levels; allows states to lower the threshold of PrivateActivity Bond financing from 50% to 25%; accelerates implementation of the allocation increase from the current 5-years down to 2-years; allows for a longer rebuilding period after natural disasters, if necessary, as determined by local state housing agencies.

o   Growing bipartisan support for the AHCIA

• Restoring Communities Left Behind Act (HR 837)

o   Summary: Establishes a new $5B HUD grant program for each year from FY 2021 – 2031 to fund neighborhood revitalization, weatherization, improvements to housing accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities, housing counseling, and refinancing, among others. Additionally, the new grant eligibility allows for the purchase and redevelopment of vacant, abandoned, or distressed properties to create new affordable housing.

• Neighborhood Homes Investment Act (S. 657)

o   Summary: Establishes a new tax credit to help rehabilitate dilapidated qualified residences for new available affordable housing units. The bill targets areas with higher needs by giving preference to those in areas with poverty rates 130% greater than the metro or state rate; have incomes 80% less than area median income; and have home values that are below the metro or state median value. The credits are not awarded until after a rehabilitation project is complete. So, the investors would be at risk, not the government.

AIA NATIONAL UPDATE ON NAAB FUNDING PROPOSAL

2024 AIA President Kimberly N. Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC recently shared a letter to to clarify AIA’s stance on the new funding proposal presented by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB).

An excerpt from that letter:

Historically, NAAB-accredited programs have not paid accreditation fees directly to NAAB. Instead, accreditation has been financially supported by its partners: the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), and AIA.

NAAB recently called for public comment on their 2025-2028 Proposed Accreditation Program Fee Structure. This new funding structure involves directly charging schools of architecture for accreditation. This proposal has been met with significant discussion within the architectural community, primarily due to the potential financial implications for these institutions.

A key concern is that this change could lead to an increase in costs for the schools, significantly higher than the current rates. In response, AIA and the other supporting organizations have requested that NAAB withdraw the funding proposal and negotiate in good faith a path forward that is positive for students, schools of architecture, and the profession. We applaud NAAB’s decision to suspend the public comment period until June 30, 2024, to revisit funding conversations.

Next Steps:

AIA is urging all organizations to swiftly find common ground on the most effective way to support the accreditation of architectural education. AIA and NCARB are currently commissioning an expert analysis of the accreditation process, with the support of our partner organizations. The results of this analysis will inform our collective path forward. As our valued members, we want you to be informed of our commitment to education and know that we remain steadfast in safeguarding the interests of the profession. We believe that through our common objectives, the stakeholders in this matter can engage in productive future discussions. AIA is looking forward to working with our colleagues to find a mutually beneficial solution to sustaining architectural accreditation.

// AIA California, Working for You

Greetings from the AIA California Office,

Architecture is the only profession that is educated, trained, and tested to protect the fragile interface between the natural and built environment. Protecting your valuable work is as fundamental a responsibility of your professional association as, say, being in the room during the development of new building code cycles.

Due to this, AIA California, your advocate in this area, is continually vigilant about protecting your copyright. With the advent of digital technologies and the publication of an architect’s work on internet sites and social media channels, this work has grown more essential.

It’s why AIA California sponsored SB1214 which passed and was subsequently signed into law by Governor Newsom. The law enforces existing federal copyright law, here in California, by limiting the type of information prepared by architects that local planning departments can make available on digital platforms. (Where it can be easily replicated, or even altered, without an architect’s permission.)

While AIA California can take these types of legislative actions, copyright law begins in your own office. While offices are not required to register drawings to have copyright protection, registering with the United States Copyright Office offers additional value should a lawsuit arise because it provides additional documentation of timeframe. Registering is simple, relatively inexpensive, and even can be submitted electronically. Register an architectural work within three (3) months of the first publication of the architectural work by following this link. (Note architectural works fall under visual arts.)

To find out more about eligibility for copyright protection, and authorship of architectural works, view this U.S. Copyright Office circular.

LACP Design Review Sessions

In 2024, we will be coordinating thirty-six virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout the City.

Upcoming sessions include:

Tuesday, February 20 (10am – 12pm)
Tuesday, March 5 (10am – 12pm)

Join us here w/ RSVP to gain zoom access.

We are delighted to announce that in addition to our quarterly series of meetings confirmed with LADBS (see schedule below), we have also confirmed a series of workshop meetings with LADWP leadership to address ideas to improve development services.

RSVP to each meeting below and share with me at will@aialosangeles.org the specific issues, recommendations, and/or questions you’d like for us to add to the agenda.

1. Wednesday, March 13 (12pm – 1pm)
2. Wednesday, June 5 (12pm – 1pm)
3. Wednesday, September 11 (12pm – 1pm)
4. Wednesday, December 4 (12pm – 1pm)

More Context:

For the past 24+ months, AIA Los Angeles and LADWP have been organizing a quarterly series of roundtable discussions, which serve as an opportunity to further connect the architecture community and LADWP development services personnel. These quarterly roundtables help to establish a more collaborative partnership and facilitate opportunities to identify solutions to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes.

Tired of deciphering cryptic code updates and navigating bureaucratic labyrinths? It’s time to take the reins! Register now for our exclusive quarterly meetings with the General Manager of Los Angeles Building and Safety and be the architect of your own informed future.

Join us to have:

+ Direct access to LADBS leadership: Get your questions answered straight from the source. Answers in real time!
+ The inside scoop on building codes and initiatives: Stay ahead of the curve with firsthand insights on new regulations and emerging trends.
+ An opportunity to shape the future of LA’s built environment: Be part of the conversation, advocate for architect-friendly policies, and influence the city’s skyline.
+ To network and build your community: Connect with like-minded professionals, share best practices, and foster meaningful collaborations.

This is your chance to:

+ Elevate your practice: Gain a competitive edge with unparalleled knowledge and insider connections.
+ Build smarter, not harder: Navigate the permitting process with confidence, saving time and resources.
+  Leave your mark on LA: Make a lasting contribution to the city’s architectural legacy.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage, empower, and shape the future of LA’s built environment. Register today!

These will be virtual meetings on zoom.  Click the dates below to register for each session.

1. Monday, February 26 (12pm – 1pm)
2. Monday, May 20 (12pm – 1pm)
3. Monday, September 23 (11am – 12pm)
4. Monday, December 9 (12pm – 1pm)

Let’s build a brighter future together.

Reach out and get more involved!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org

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