The national chapter of the American Institute of Architects 2022 President Emily Grandstaff-Rice (second from right) and AIA National EVP/CEO Lakisha Ann Woods (right) visited the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to discuss ongoing partnerships with AIA, why it’s crucial for the U.S. to support healthy affordable housing, and how architects can contribute to advancing affordable housing initiatives. Leaders also emphasized the importance of instilling greater resilience as well as energy and water efficiency in affordable housing.
The duo, along with AIA’s 2019 AIA National President and AIA Pennsylvania/Pittsburgh member, William (Bill) Bates (far left), met with (from left next to Bates) Program Coordinator and Research Analyst Regina Gray, HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Marion Mollegen McFadden, and HUD Deputy Secretary Adrienne Todman.
The meeting was made possible, in part, by Bill’s participation in a Congressional Black Caucus panel event on affordable housing held this past October, where HUD staff was in attendance.