A top policy priority for the preservation community is reauthorizing the Historic Preservation Fund (HPF). In recent AIA HRC monthly meetings and Specs on the Union updates (next and final of 2023 will occur Nov. 1), AIA Federal Relations staff have informed the knowledge community of the need to reauthorize the HPF before its September 30 expiration. AIA supports legislation, which remains without a Senate companion, that will increase the authorized amount of funding for the HPF and extend its authorization for ten years – fundamental updates for this well-established and successful program. The AIA Federal Relations team is continuing to work diligently with national partners and congressional offices to avoid a lapse in authorization for the program.
As part of a strategic, collaborative advocacy effort between AIA and the Historic Tax Credit Coalition to increase support for AIA-endorsed H.R. 1785/S.639, AIA Federal Relations have supported AIA chapter leaders in coordinating congressional site visits to projects that have leveraged the HTC. This Fall, AIA Iowa will be focal to a Rep. Feenstra visit to Sioux City, Iowa and AIA Minnesota will similarly hone a Rep. Stauber visit to Sandstone, Minn. If you or your local HRC colleagues are knowledgeable of projects in your area, share the details with 2023 AIA HRC Chair Liz Hallas, AIA so that AIA Federal Relations staff can coordinate. Additionally, please, make sure your federal elected representatives hear of your support for AIA-endorsed legislation to modernize the HTC here.
Our colleagues at the National Trust Community Investment Corporation (a subsidiary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation) and the Historic Tax Credit Coalition shared the recently published Historic Preservation and the Federal Historic Tax Credit -- Addressing Challenges of the 21st Century Report. Our external allies have also welcomed hearing your ideas and reactions to the nearly 20 recommendations of how the HTC program/process might be improved to face current challenges.
To read the report, please visit HTCC Report FINAL to share (squarespace.com)