Housing Advocacy
The Housing Advocacy Committee (HAC) addresses affordable housing and homelessness 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: Andrew Centanni, Assoc. AIA, and Rebecca Celis, Assoc. AIA
AIA Staff Liaison:
Meeting Date: First Wednesday of the month at noon in the AIA Minnesota office
Search for Shelter Design Charrette
2010 Search for Shelter Charrette:
February 12-14, 2010
The American Institute of Architects Minnesota (AIA Minnesota) Housing Advocacy Committee, which focuses on affordable housing, will be hosting its annual Search For Shelter Design Charrette February 12-14, 2010. On average, six to eight projects are chosen each year and over 50 volunteers participate.
We are still looking for volunteers: Fill out the Volunteer Form and sign up today!
2010 Volunteer Form (PDF)
2010 Search for Shelter Charrette Press Release (PDF)
2009 Search for Shelter Charrette
The 2009 Search for Shelter Charrette, sponsored by AIA Minnesota's Housing Advocacy Committee, was held January 23-25 at Rapson Hall at the University of Minnesota. This annual Design Charrette focuses on non-profit organizations that address issues of affordable housing and homelessness in our community. Many of the organizations use the designs from the Charrette to help kickstart their funding drives and gain support from neighborhood groups. This was a great opportunity for architects and designers to use their talents to help benefit those who are especially struggling this year due to the housing market crash.
Iin 2009, the projects included a remodel of the shelter at Simpson Housing Services, preliminary planning for a youth shelter for Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation, sustainable design initiatives for Lyndale Neighborhood Association and an exterior remodel for 180 Degrees.
Read the 2009 Search for Shelter Press Release (PDF)
If you have questions about the charrette, please contact AIA Minnesota.
2009 Project Boards
Simpson Housing Services (PDF) (7MB, 7 pages)
180 Degrees (PDF) (16MB, 4 pages)
Lyndale Neighborhood Association (PDF) (4MB, 6 pages)
Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation (PDF) (22MB, 26 pages)
2008 Search for Shelter Design Charrette
February 15-17, 2008
The Housing Advocacy Committee hosted the 21st annual Search for Shelter Charrette from February 15th to 17th. The event took place in Rapson Hall at the University of Minnesota. Friday’s opening reception included dinner, sponsored by the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, speaker Katie Swenson, the Director of Enterprise’s Frederick P. Rose Architectural Fellowship program, and a chance for agencies to introduce themselves to all the volunteered participants. This year, we welcomed many returned participants from previous charrettes, but we were fortunate to have 6 new participants, faculty and students, from the other U of M, University of Manitoba. On Saturday, the teams visited their project sites and came back to the University of Minnesota for an intense day of design. On Sunday, scrambling to finish their projects before the ‘digital’ cart came to collect, the teams presented their findings and final designs to the agencies. Six local housing agencies and neighborhood groups, 40 volunteers, and 24 hours later, we concluded with over 30 presentation boards, numerous ideas, and one of the most successful charrettes ever.
Read the 2008 Search for Shelter Press Release (pdf)
Housing Advocacy Committee Tours
In November 2008, members of the Housing Advocacy Committee toured Aeon's affordable housing properties, including the Crane Ordway (pictured here)