Advocacy Update - January 2025

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This Month in Advocacy: Welcome Nathan, AIA Seattle’s new Advocacy Manager; Seattle’s Comp Plan Pro-Housing voices urgently needed; eliminating parking mandates with SB 5184 boost housing production; and join COHO for their Social Housing Prop 1A + 1B event.

Welcome AIA Seattle Advocacy Manager,
Nathan Winch

Nathan Winch headshotOriginally from Washington D.C., Nathan is no stranger to advocacy work. He received a BS in Environmental Science and Politics and Policy from the University of Maryland. Nathan’s background ranges from fundraising to campaign management, he has worked on numerous campaigns across the country from gubernatorial, state legislative, presidential, and non-profit campaigns.

In 2020, Nathan moved to Washington State to work on the presidential primary and immediately fell in love with the area. Since then, Nathan has been involved in local politics working on campaigns across the state. Nathan began his role January 6th with AIA Seattle and will be working to move forward AIA Seattle’s key advocacy priorities in collaboration with our ten counties of members. Join us in welcoming Nathan!

 

Seattle City Council Receives Mayor’s Comp Plan

Pro-Housing voices urgently needed!

For nearly 3 years, AIA Seattle members have been advocating for a Comprehensive Plan for the City of Seattle as a 15-minute city, with a variety of housing options near many types of amenities, retail cores, and transit.

Now more than ever in this multi-year process, we need credible pro-housing voices to bring forward their views. Here’s how you can help:

ACTION NEEDED

AIA Seattle sent a letter this week to City Council to urge Council to keep in place the aspects of the Mayor’s plan they are hearing significant push back on from anti-housing folks. AIA Seattle has amplified member voices through all phases of Comprehensive Plan development, including positions raised in May 2024 on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement and Draft Plan, and in December 2024 on Draft Rezoning Maps and Draft Neighborhood Residential Zoning Legislation.

In early January, Mayor Harrell sent his final version of the Comprehensive Plan to City Council, who are reviewing now in advance of a planned May vote. After years of asking for more opportunities for diverse housing types spread across the City, the pro-housing community is now in a fight to maintain the 30 Neighborhood Centers included in the Mayor’s plan. Anti-housing voices are strong and active, and AIA Seattle is one of multiple groups working to get out the Pro-Housing advocates. Email your Councilmember and sign up to testify today!

 

SB 5184 Would Provide Huge Boost to Housing Production

1/24 10.30am TESTIFY to support State Legislation to Eliminate Parking Mandates

SB 5184  would reduce or eliminate parking mandates around Washington State, granting people in every community the flexibility they need to build the amount of parking that is right for them and their residents and customers.

AIA Seattle’s housing policy demands elimination of parking minimums to support housing production. This bill could reduce housing costs, GHG emissions, and support equity, flexibility, walkability, environmental justice, runoff and tree canopy, to name a few!

Sightline has developed information about this potential legislation here.

ACTION NEEDED

The bill has been scheduled for its first hearing Friday 1/24 @ 10:30AM in the Senate Housing committee. Sightlines is spearheading a broad base of support from a diversity of groups to increase chances of this becoming state law.

Personalize testimony to your experience and your credibility as an AIA architect.

 

Social Housing – Learn more about Prop 1A + 1B February 5

AIA Seattle endorsed the City of Seattle Social Housing Ballot Initiative I-135 which voters approved. Learn more about the funding options for Social Housing, at an event hosted by AIA Seattle’s Committee on Homelessness on Wednesday, February 5th. Register today! And vote February 11.

 

News of Interest

Debate: Is Seattle Ready to Go Big on Social Housing? | Seattle Nice Podcast

Updated Seattle Growth Plan Adds Five Neighborhood Anchors, Bigger Fourplexes | The Urbanist

More paving, fewer trees. So much for a green ‘One Seattle’ | Seattle Times


We’d love to hear from you! For more information on advocacy topics, please contact:

Nathan Winch Advocacy Manager, AIA Seattle
Melissa K. Neher Executive Director, AIA Seattle

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