Housing Advocacy
The Housing Advocacy Committee (HAC) addresses affordable housing and homeless issues. Architects and other designers can be key players in this social problem and by joining this committee, you can help improve housing conditions in Minnesota. You can also assist in planning and participate in our annual Design Charrette which benefits local housing agencies, along with other activities. We are always looking for volunteers to participate on the committee, contact the AIA Minnesota office to get involved.
Chair: Dana Murdoch, AIA and Jackie Peck, Assoc. AIA
AIA Staff Liaison: Judith Van Dyne
Meeting Date: First Tuesday of the month at noon in the AIA Minnesota office. The Housing Advocacy Committee will meet twice in January, 2012. January 3 and 17 at Noon at AIA Minnesota.
2012 Search for Shelter Charrette
DESIGN VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - February 10-12
Fun design opportunity. You are invited to be a part of the 2012 Search for Shelter Design Charrette February 10-12. Spend a weekend with other design professionals and students creating real solutions to address the issues of affordable housing and homelessness with local nonprofit organizations. Please RSVP by January 31th.
The design charrette, held at the University of Minnesota, begins with a Friday evening kickoff event where teams will be assigned and projects introduced. Saturday is focused on creating design solutions. Sunday morning the designs will be completed and shared with clients (nonprofit organizations) and fellow volunteers at a closing presentation.
It’s a great experience. Please call or email Judith Van Dyne if you have any questions. Sign up today and invite your friends. Thank you!
2012 Project Submittal Form
2012 Project Submittal Form - PDF
2012 Participant Info - PDF
2012 Participant Registration
2012 Participant Registration - PDF
2011 Search for Shelter Charrette
SEARCH FOR SHELTER - CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SERVICE
View the 2011 Search for Shelter Press Release (PDF)
Rapson Hall was a busy place the weekend of February 11-13 as the Housing Advocacy Committee kicked off their 25th Search for Shelter Charrette. Eight teams worked throughout the weekend on projects submitted by six different non-profit agencies. These projects ranged from mixed use redevelopment to interior remodeling to programmatic feasibility studies. A total of 42 volunteers participated with 15 of those being students from the College of Design.
The kickoff on Friday evening saw 70 people gather for a presentation with welcoming remarks by the AIA Minnesota President Steve Fiskum, AIA, followed by a guest panel moderated by Rosemary Dolata, AIA. The panel included Tom Fisher, Dean, College of Design and Assoc. AIA; Chip Halback, Executive Director of the Minnesota Housing Partnership; Dana Murdock, AIA, Housing Advocacy Committee Co-Chair; and Josephine Pulpaff of Youthlink, Director of Program Development and Evaluation. This was followed by each agency presenting their projects.
Participating agencies included the Salvation Army Harbor Light Center, Selby Avenue Action Coalition (SAAC), Emma Norton Services, Rebuilding Together Twin Cities, Families Moving Forward, and Woodland Hills Church.
Sponsors for this event were:
College of Design for facilities, printing and computer support
AIA Minnesota for staff support and publicity, food and supplies
Peter Sieger for photography
AECOM Ellerbe Becket
BWBR Architects
Horty Elvin
RSP Architects
Private Donation
Jackie Peck, Assoc. AIA, led the effort to prepare for the charrette with great help from committee members Dana Murdoch, AIA (Co-chair); Jeremiah Battle, AIA; Tim Bicknell, AIA; Aubrie Eisenhart; Ben Ptacek, Assoc. AIA; Bruce Saline; Rosemary Dolata, AIA; Gene Nicolelli, AIA; and Brian Tucker, AIA. A big thank you to all who helped make the 2011 Search for Shelter Charrette a huge success!
2011 Project Boards
Salvation Army Harbor Light Center (PDF)
Selby Avenue Action Coalition (SAAC) (PDF)
SAAC (Project 2) (PDF)
Emma Norton Services (PDF)
Emma Norton Services (Project 2) (PDF)
Rebuilding Together Twin Cities (PDF)
Families Moving Forward (PDF)
Woodland Hills Church (PDF)
For reference:
2011 Project Submittal Form
2011 Volunteer Registration Form
2011 Free Design Aid (PDF)
2011 Volunteer Form (PDF)
If you have questions about the charrette, please contact Jackie Peck.
2010 Project Boards
Aeon (PDF) (4MB, 3 pages)
People Serving People (PDF) (12MB, 6 pages)
Urban Homeworks (PDF) (12MB, 7 pages)
Alliance Housing, Inc. (18MB, 5 pages)
Sparc (4MB, 4 pages)
Previous Search for Shelter Charrettes
2010 Search for Shelter Charrette Press Release (PDF)
2009 Search for Shelter Press Release (PDF)
2008 Search for Shelter Press Release (PDF)