Image: The Urbanist

Advocacy Update – July 2026

This Month in Advocacy: Federal Affordable Housing Legislation Becomes Law, AIAWA Seeks Feedback on Interior Design Practice Act, MHA Accelerator Proposal Stalls, Seattle Extending Interim Design Review Regulations

National

Congress passes bipartisan legislation to spur affordable housing

The passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, a bipartisan package intended to make housing more affordable, marks the most significant housing legislation passed by Congress in over three decades. The measure includes provisions intended to increase housing supply, reduce barriers to residential development, and prohibit large investors from purchasing single-family residences. The legislation is significant for architects as it could help advance new multi-family projects, expand housing opportunities in communities across the country, and create greater demand for design services.

Another standalone bill, the Build Housing Affordably Act, has been introduced to address problems surrounding the Build America Buy America Act (BABA). BABA, enacted in 2021, requires federally funded housing to contain only domestically made parts. H.R. 9311 would temporarily halt implementation of BABA for covered affordable housing projects, among other provisions. AIA National has supported both bills.

Washington State

AIAWA seeks feedback on proposed interior design practice act

AIA Washington Council is asking members to share input to establish the Board’s formal position for anticipated 2027 legislation regarding interior design practice. Over the past 18 months, AIAWA has been working with members of Washington’s chapter of the International Interior Designer Association (IIDA) on HB 2721 regarding licensure for Interior Designers. The bill was introduced in the 2026 legislative session but did not advance.

To share your feedback, please read the most recent bill, HB 2721, in full. You can submit comments to the AIAWA board or staff via one of the following options. All input will require your name and AIA member number; feedback provided will be kept confidential:

Complete a brief survey: HB 2721 Survey
Email your feedback directly to AIAWA, tsueirro@aiawa.org
Contact your AIAWA board representative and share your feedback by email or in conversation.

The deadline for feedback is Friday, July 24 at 5pm. More coverage of the legislation can be found in AIAWA’s Summer Advocacy Newsletter.

AIA Seattle Ten-County Area

Seattle MHA Accelerator legislative proposal withdrawn

A proposal that would have reduced Mandatory Housing Affordability (MHA) fees in Seattle for two years is not moving forward. The proposed legislation was the result of negotiations between affordable and market rate housing developers. However, after additional stakeholder feedback, the Mayor’s Office decided to table the legislation for this summer and instead convene a stakeholder workgroup to refine the proposal. More coverage of the change can be found here and here.

Seattle City Council considers extension of Design Review interim regulations

On July 1, Councilmember Eddie Lin introduced a bill that would extend interim Design Review regulations another six months while the City develops a permanent solution that complies with HB 1293, passed by the state legislature in 2023 to add new requirements for local design review programs. The interim regulations exempt low-income housing projects and certain projects subject to MHA from Design Review and allow all projects with residentials uses to elect to go through Administrative Design Review.

A public hearing on the Design Review bill is anticipated on July 30 in the Land Use & Sustainability Committee (subject to change).