How place defines possibility

Housing. Climate resilience. Artificial intelligence. These are the three Board-approved priorities guiding AIA’s national agenda in 2025 and they are more connected than many realize. Beneath it all is this guiding principle: place defines possibility. Every address holds the power to shape opportunity or limit it.

Housing impacts health outcomes, commute times, educational access, economic mobility, and even our carbon footprint. And yet, we are facing a staggering shortage of between 4 and 7 million homes nationwide. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), over 750,000 of our neighbors are experiencing homelessness. The cost of housing has risen more than 40 percent since 2020.

This is a system-wide crisis. But systems are made up of people, and people can act. I attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors winter and summer meetings where the United States Conference of Mayors & The American Institute of Architects National Housing Survey was a central focus. What stood out to me most was not just the data; it was how accessible the mayors were, and how much credibility the AIA carries in these civic spaces. We were heard. We were respected. And it reminded me of something I find myself saying more and more often, “design is advocacy.”

According to the survey, “The message from mayors is clear; the housing crisis is severe, widespread, and worsening.” More than half of all mayors surveyed expect a housing shortfall of 5,000 to 20,000 units in the next five years. One in six expects that deficit to be between 20,000 and 50,000 units. It is not just a supply problem; it is a systems problem. Permitting delays, outdated zoning, inflexible codes, rising construction costs, and political gridlock are all part of the ecosystem that shapes what gets built, where, and for whom. And while the need for federal funding is critical, the real work happens locally. That is where architects come in.

Architects are already embedded in many parts of the process. We serve on zoning commissions and design review boards. We serve as Chief Architects, advising city governments (although we could use a few more in these positions). We design homes of every scale, from single-family infill to large multifamily and affordable housing complexes. Our expertise includes designing for resilience, health, and quality of life.

Other key points from the survey:  

• 95% of mayors said ensuring housing is safe and that occupants remain healthy is extremely or very important.
• 87% prioritized energy efficiency and lower utility bills.  

That is us. That is what we do. We also have tools at our disposal that can speed up delivery. One of the clearest takeaways from our conversations with mayors was how much impact outdated permitting processes have on housing availability. Cities can authorize licensed architects to conduct third-party plan review or even self-certify code-compliant projects. These reforms have already been adopted in places like New York City, Chicago, and Phoenix, Ariz. As AIA notes, “Permit streamlining lowers project costs by significantly reducing delays…These costs are passed along to future renters and homeowners, making affordable housing options less accessible.” Architects are already qualified to shoulder this responsibility. We just need more cities willing to trust us.

While we do not control policy, we can absolutely shape it. Architects are helping cities implement zoning reform, reduce minimum lot sizes, eliminate outdated parking requirements, and legalize housing types like ADUs and co-living spaces. Consider Chattanooga, Tenn.’s new zoning code, which expands by-right development, allows for greater density, and introduces new residential zones that allow a variety of housing types, including missing middle housing such as duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes. In Petaluma, Calif., a community-focused design effort led to a 15-minute neighborhood framework now embedded in the city's Climate Action Plan. In Dubuque, Iowa, architect-led design assistance teams helped unlock over $200 million in public-private investment for climate-resilient housing. This is what happens when we go beyond design as deliverable and engage as civic partners.

We are navigating a moment where practical progress is often stalled by process, politics, and outdated systems. Housing touches every part of how a community functions, yet too often, it is governed by frameworks that have not kept pace with today’s realities. Architects are uniquely positioned to work within those systems, helping to update building codes, streamline permitting, and shape zoning reforms that make it easier to deliver thoughtful, well-designed housing. We can collaborate early in the process to identify barriers, offer alternatives, and keep projects moving. And sometimes, the biggest shifts start by simply showing up. We may not control the entire ecosystem, but we can nudge it. And sometimes, that nudge is all it takes.

You do not have to fix everything. You do not need a policy degree or a seat in Congress. But you do need to do something. Start by getting involved locally. Serve on a commission. Attend a city council meeting. Advocate for better zoning. Educate your community about the value of well-designed housing.  

It is time to move past the myth that good intentions and great aesthetics are enough. This problem will not be solved by one boutique design at a time. Beautiful renderings and thoughtfully crafted case studies may inspire, but they do not begin to meet the scale of the housing crisis. If we are serious about creating real impact, we need to adopt new tools: tools that enable us to scale good design, replicate what works, and deliver housing more efficiently without compromising quality or equity.

AIA’s housing agenda is not just a policy platform; it points toward action, not just ideas. The most significant impact will not come from a single bill or one beautifully executed project, but from architects stepping into our power as civic leaders and building partnerships across sectors to move meaningful work forward. This is not something we can or should try to do alone. We know how to connect design to change—now is the time to lead.