advocacy update //byline Scott Terrell – AIA CA Director of Government Relations Tibby Rothman, Hon. AIA|LA – AIA CA Director of Communications March 4, 2025 Fire recovery was the priority discussion when AIA California leaders met with the offices of Senator Alex Padilla’s and Senator Adam Schiff’s Offices on #AIAHillDay during National’s Leadership Summit on February 26. The discussions included how architects are on the front lines of rebuild efforts, able to assist as needed, and extending the FEMA and Small Business Administration (SBA) application deadlines for victims of the recent wildfires. The current deadlines are too short, with many individuals and businesses unable to apply by the March 10, 2025 cutoff due to delays in processing, website issues, and necessary fraud investigations. AIA California members also voiced their support for Governor Newsom’s ask for $40 billion in aid to help rebuild homes, infrastructure, businesses, schools, churches and health care facilities, while supporting the needs of people affected by the devastation. An item made more urgent by the disastrous firestorms in Southern California fires was the second topic brought up in the meetings–a Resilient Design Policy. AIA’s national position is to support a resilient design policy such as the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program, The Resilient AMERICA Act, and the SHELTER Act. With AIA members reminding Senators that natural disasters caused over $350 billion in damages in 2024. Another talking point that demonstrated how harmful these disasters are to the economy: Nearly 50% of small businesses that close after a disaster never reopen, making resilience essential for economic stability. Investing in resilience policies benefits public safety, economic stability, and long-term cost savings; architects play a key role in designing resilient communities and require adequate funding and policy support to scale impactful solutions. Housing was the third topic broached in meetings with Senate Office staff. AIA supports housing policies such as HOME, Community Development Block Grant, and Low-income Housing Tax Credits to create safe, affordable, and resilient communities. Expanding these programs is critical to ensuring adequate housing supply, housing affordability and economic stability and growth. We were encouraged to find that our state representatives are leading on these critical issues and that our priorities were closely aligned. Their commitment to disaster recovery, resilient design, and housing affordability reinforced the importance of our discussions and gave us confidence in the collaborative efforts ahead.
2025 #AIAHillDay Wrap-Up
//byline
Scott Terrell – AIA CA Director of Government Relations
Tibby Rothman, Hon. AIA|LA – AIA CA Director of Communications
Fire recovery was the priority discussion when AIA California leaders met with the offices of Senator Alex Padilla’s and Senator Adam Schiff’s Offices on #AIAHillDay during National’s Leadership Summit on February 26.
The discussions included how architects are on the front lines of rebuild efforts, able to assist as needed, and extending the FEMA and Small Business Administration (SBA) application deadlines for victims of the recent wildfires.
The current deadlines are too short, with many individuals and businesses unable to apply by the March 10, 2025 cutoff due to delays in processing, website issues, and necessary fraud investigations.
AIA California members also voiced their support for Governor Newsom’s ask for $40 billion in aid to help rebuild homes, infrastructure, businesses, schools, churches and health care facilities, while supporting the needs of people affected by the devastation.
An item made more urgent by the disastrous firestorms in Southern California fires was the second topic brought up in the meetings–a Resilient Design Policy. AIA’s national position is to support a resilient design policy such as the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program, The Resilient AMERICA Act, and the SHELTER Act. With AIA members reminding Senators that natural disasters caused over $350 billion in damages in 2024. Another talking point that demonstrated how harmful these disasters are to the economy: Nearly 50% of small businesses that close after a disaster never reopen, making resilience essential for economic stability. Investing in resilience policies benefits public safety, economic stability, and long-term cost savings; architects play a key role in designing resilient communities and require adequate funding and policy support to scale impactful solutions.
Housing was the third topic broached in meetings with Senate Office staff. AIA supports housing policies such as HOME, Community Development Block Grant, and Low-income Housing Tax Credits to create safe, affordable, and resilient communities. Expanding these programs is critical to ensuring adequate housing supply, housing affordability and economic stability and growth.
We were encouraged to find that our state representatives are leading on these critical issues and that our priorities were closely aligned. Their commitment to disaster recovery, resilient design, and housing affordability reinforced the importance of our discussions and gave us confidence in the collaborative efforts ahead.
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