AIA Austin Advocacy Update – 2/2/26
The monthly Advocacy Update summarizes the advocacy efforts of AIA Austin, led by the Advocacy Commission and its three Tactical Committees.
The Advocacy Commission coordinates systematic efforts to promote our expertise and identify audiences, venues, and mediums to advance the values of our organization. To get involved, please join the committee email list(s) using the links below.
2026 Public Role & Advocacy Commissioner: Jason John Paul Haskins, AIA
ADVOCACY TACTICAL COMMITTEES AT-A-GLANCE
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COMMITTEE INITIATIVES
Housing Advocacy
Focuses on zoning reforms and legislative fixes to improve housing stock and preservation.
2025 Wins
- Successful advocacy for Single Stair legislation
- Advocacy for the Preservation Bonus
- Engagement with housing bills at the 89th Texas Lege Session
- Two articles in Texas Architect (Local Policymaking for Architects, Missing Middle Housing)
- Presentations at AIASxHabitat, DEC, and YIMBYtown
Active Priority Issues
- Integrating 4 units into the IRC (International Residential Code)
- Advancing Missing Middle Zoning
- Fixes to HOME I & II
- Enhancing the Preservation Bonus
- The Gross Floor Area definition
Tracking Issues
- SB 840 Fixes and the concept of “10-minute walkability” to third places
- Density Bonus Reform and the upcoming 2026 Housing Bond Election
- Regulations regarding Short Term Rentals (STRs) and the Austin Housing Department/AHFC
- SMART Housing, Affordability Unlocked, and Affordability Impact Statements
Resiliency & Climate Response
Addresses environmental impact, resource management, and climate-conscious design standards.
2025 Wins
- Low carbon materials: Council approval to incorporate the ICC-codified appendix for Hemp construction to building code (first in nation).
- Connection-building with key Staff (WPD, Off of Res, AFD) to collaborate & inform ongoing initiatives (bird friendly design, green infrastructure, climate design guide)
Active Priority Issues
- Water resiliency & integrative water management
- Green Infrastructure recommendations support & implementation at COA
- Bird Friendly Design recommendations & COA adoption
- Deconstruction ordinance strategies and policy
Tracking Issues
- FAR definition (Floor Area Ratio)
- Resilience stations / hubs / demos
Mobility Advocacy
Focuses on transportation infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly streets, and major urban corridor planning.
2025 Wins
- Secured funding for roadway elements of the I-35 Cap & Stitch project
- Week Without Driving event
Active Priority Issues
- I-35 CapEx Frontage Road Improvements & Street Trees
- Two-way street conversions and Great Streets Update
Tracking Issues
- Austin Core Transportation Plan
- I-35 Cap & Stitch Implementation
- Density Bonus Updates, including DDBP & ETOD
- Austin 2026 Bond Package
GET INVOLVED
There are many ways to get involved in advocacy with AIA Austin, from listening in on committee meetings or just reporting issues to working on tactical committee issues or giving public testimony. We encourage anyone to explore advocacy, regardless of experience or time available. To get started, consider joining a Tactical Committee, attending an event, or engaging with one of these current opportunities:
- SUBMIT AN ISSUE: AIA Austin Advocacy Intake Form – Please tell us what you are concerned about in local government and the built environment.
- COMPLETE A SURVEY: SMART Housing Applicant Input – Austin Housing is seeking input from SMART Housing applicants to help with upcoming updates to the program.
- WRITE A LETTER: 2026 Bond Initial Draft Recommendation – The City Manager Office recommendations for the 2026 Bonds include absolutely no funding for affordable housing. This will bring all the progress we have made from the past Housing Bonds to a screeching halt. Now is the time to contact your City Council Member or email all Council Members to share input on the Housing and Mobility components of the 2026 Bond package.
- PREPARE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: Federal Change to “Professional” Designation of Architecture Degrees – AIA is monitoring the Department of Education’s proposal and coordinating with other impacted professional organizations. The comment period will open soon and AIA will encourage “schools, students, and practitioners to submit their own comments demonstrating the real-world impact of this policy.”
UPCOMING ADVOCACY EVENTS
FEB 9
Advocacy Roundtable: Protecting the Profession Amid Political Unpredictability
Presented by AIA Advocacy. Hear updates on the sudden dramatic changes to the Federal definition of “professional,” the State HUB program, and the City’s definition of “gross floor area,” and discuss how we as a profession can prepare for future unpredictability.
12:00-1:30pm at AIA Austin, 801 West 12th Street, 78701
$5 AIA Members, $20 non-Members; 1.5 LU (pending)
LEARN MORE AND RSVP>>
FEB 12
Jeff Speck: Toward a More Walkable Austin
LEARN MORE AND RSVP>>
FEB 23
Advocacy Roundtable: Two-way Streets
Presented by the Mobility Advocacy Tactical Committee. Adam Greenfield with Safe Streets Austin will share the current evidence-based principles of street design and how it relates to current planning efforts underway in Austin.
12:00-1:30pm at AIA Austin, 801 West 12th Street, 78701
$5 AIA Members, $20 non-Members
LEARN MORE AND RSVP>>
MAR 30-31
Single Stair Presentation at TACDC Conference
LEARN MORE AND RSVP>>
SEPT 14
Save the Date: Candidate Forum
Presented by AIA Advocacy and Austin Housing Coalition. Candidates for the open City Council seats will share their positions on various issues related to housing affordability, planning, and development.
5:00-8:00pm at Assembly Hall
Free