Advancing Housing as a Fundamental Right
The AIA calls on design practitioners, academics, researchers, and advocates to get involved to advance Housing as a Fundamental Right!
What is Housing as a Fundamental Right?
In 2017, the American Institute of Architects declared access to housing a "fundamental right." Last year, the AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community (HCD) also began convening a Right-to-Housing Working Group to build on this resolution and work toward longstanding global humanitarian standards – adequate housing was recognized in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, signed by the United States.
The AIA advocates for access to housing as a fundamental right. Architects are at the forefront of the challenges inherent to providing safe, healthy and sustainable housing to all. The AIA advocates for governmental policies, programs, and incentives to promote the design, construction, renovation, rehabilitation, preservation and stabilization of safe, healthy, affordable, sustainable and disaster resistant housing within the means of all people.
– AIA Resolution 17-3, approved in 2017
Join us on February 7th, 2022, for the webinar "The Right to Housing with Eric Tars"
We invite you to join the conversations about what the right to housing means and how architects can contribute to the goal through design teaching, practice, research, and advocacy. Register for our first free AIA HCD webinar in a Right-to-Housing series, with Eric Tars, Legal Director for the National Homelessness Law Center, Monday, February 7, 2022, 12pm EST.
Advocate!
With the widening and deepening affordable housing crisis, and rapid increase in homelessness being experienced throughout the nation, a good way to contribute to solutions is to get directly involved. Below is a short list of campaigns and links to check out that are advancing Housing as a Fundamental Right! HCD-KC members may feel free to engage with these campaigns individually.
HUD's House America campaign
National Low Income Housing Coalition's hoUSed campaign
Housing Not Handcuffs
Poor People's Campaign
Homes Guarantee
Invisible People
Up for Growth
AIA's Advocacy Platform
AIA's Blueprint for Better
AIA's Guide to Engaging with Civic Leaders
Connect with the AIA's Housing & Community Development Knowledge Community!
The AIA Housing and Community Development Knowledge Community (HCD) is a network of architects and allied stakeholders that promotes equity in housing, excellence in residential design, and sustainable, vibrant communities for all, through education, research, awards, and advocacy. Our members play a role in the creation and preservation of affordable housing through design teaching, practice, research, and advocacy. Outside of traditional design scopes, members also serve on boards and committees of housing non-profits and public agencies, providing a wide array of pro-bono services that help advance Housing as a Fundamental Right. Connect with the AIA's HCD to learn more and get involved.
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Alexander Salazar AIA
Alexander P. Salazar Architect
Portland OR
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