ADVOCACY UPDATE

In response to AIA California’s advocacy efforts and Governor Newsom’s recent Executive Order N-20-25, LADBS is now offering waivers to homeowners affected by the 2025 wildfires, facilitating access to their building plans and blueprints. This waiver process simplifies the typical procedure for obtaining plan copies, recognizing the urgent need for homeowners to access these documents for rebuilding.

The waiver, along with a required affidavit, streamlines the process for fire-impacted homeowners seeking to rebuild. This action by LADBS directly addresses a key challenge faced by those affected by the fires, enabling them to begin the rebuilding process more quickly. Information on obtaining plan copies, including the waiver process, can be found on the LADBS website.

LA COUNTY RECOVERY & REBUILDING RESOURCES

ASK AN ARCHITECT:  A Program to Connect People Impacted by Wildfire Disaster Directly To Architects

We are excited to share the official launch of Ask an Architect! Community Members can sign up for their free, one-on-one sessions with our volunteer architects at their convenience AT THIS LINK.

You can also find AIA Pasadena & Foothill’s newly renovated and informative wildfire support page HERE, with a link to the signup as well:

We are grateful to Jessica Orlando, AIA, and the leadership of the AIA|LA AIA Pasadena & Foothill Chapter for creating this important community outreach platform.

For those of you who have already signed up to volunteer—we thank you, and will be in touch soon with matches as they roll in! If you are a licensed architect and haven’t signed up yet, you can do so HERE, and if you are NOT licensed but want to help, we need support with our matching process, so reach out to Jessica Orlando, AIA directly to support!

Thank you all for your ongoing engagement and support—please share this news far and wide, as we hope to reach the community members who need our help the most!

DCBA Launches LA County Household Relief Fund Grant to Aid Wildfire Victims

In response to the devastating Eaton and Palisades wildfires, the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs has launched the LA County Household Relief Grant offering grants to eligible households ranging from $6,000 to $18,000, based on household size and composition.

This immediate financial assistance aims to help LA County households who have been directly impacted by the 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires. The program is designed to bridge financial gaps and promote the general welfare of affected households until insurance or government recovery resources become available.

The online application will be open from February 26 – March 12, 2025.

For more information and to sign up for updates about the application, please visit LA County Relief Fund.

Support the LA County Wildfire Recovery Effort – Donate Today!

LA County has launched a Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund donation portal to encourage community support for LA County wildfire victims.

Donations received through this portal will fund the LA County Household Relief Grant program, helping to expand the assistance available to those in need.

To donate, visit the Disaster Relief and Recovery Donations Portal to donate.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING THE ARCHITECT AT THE DECISION-MAKING TABLE

We are eager to collaborate with Supervisor Horvath and the esteemed members of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire Safe Recovery. We believe that by working together, we can create truly resilient and thriving communities. We recognize the valuable contributions of the current commissioners and see a powerful opportunity to further enrich the commission’s work by including the unique expertise of architects.

Our goal is not simply to be heard, but to be active partners from the outset, contributing our knowledge and experience to shape the agenda and achieve tangible, positive outcomes. We are confident that by working collaboratively from the beginning, we can maximize our collective impact.

We understand that initiatives like the Commission, Mayor Bass’ working group led by Steve Soboroff, Caruso’s Steadfast LA, and CCF’s Department of Angels are driven by a deep commitment to our city. We share that commitment and believe that by including architects at the inception of these crucial efforts, we can unlock even greater potential. It’s not just about adding a single architect; it’s about engaging the profession as a whole, bringing a broad range of perspectives and expertise to the table.

Architects offer a unique and valuable perspective, including:

• Holistic Systems Thinking: We understand the complex interplay of factors that shape our built environment, from infrastructure and resource management to social equity and community well-being.
• Expertise in Resilience and Sustainability: We are trained to design for the future, creating structures and communities that can withstand environmental challenges and promote long-term health and prosperity.
• A Focus on Community-Centric Design: We are passionate about understanding and reflecting the diverse needs and aspirations of the communities we serve, ensuring that our designs are both functional and meaningful.
• Vision and Innovation: We are problem-solvers and creative thinkers, capable of translating complex challenges into practical and inspiring solutions.

We are confident that by partnering with architects from the start, these initiatives will be even more successful in creating a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable Los Angeles. We are ready to contribute our energy, expertise, and collaborative spirit to this shared mission.

WILDFIRE RESPONSE RESOURCES & READING LIST

FORT LA: The Heart of LA: Straight Talk About Building Back
Tuesday, February 25th, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST

RSVP HERE.

Why Did It Take a Fire for the World to Learn of Altadena’s Black Arts Legacy?

WILDFIRE RECOVERY RESOURCES DESIGN & CONSULTING SERVICES

The architects, designers, and consultants listed in our Wildfire Recovery Resources: Design & Consulting Services have voluntarily reached out to our task force to offer their services to homes and businesses affected by wildfires. This list is provided as a public resource to help connect those in need with professionals who may be able to assist in rebuilding and recovery efforts.

LIST OF ARCHITECTS & DESIGNERS

The AIA LA & LACP Professional Volunteer Program (PVP)

Architects & designers passionate about improving the design quality of newly proposed projects throughout the City of Los Angeles are encouraged to participate in the Professional Volunteer Program (PVP), which is a collaborative design review program organized by AIA LA & Los Angeles City Planning (LACP)’s Urban Design Studio.

This year we will be coordinating thirty-one virtual design review sessions, which will serve as opportunities for architects and designers to help the Los Angeles City Planning’s Urban Design Studio critically review upcoming projects throughout our City.

March 4 (10am)
March 11 (10am)
March 18 (10am)
April 1 (10am)
April 8 (10am)

RSVP HERE (virtual on zoom)

Design Review Sessions w/ LACP Urban Design Studio 2025

UNPLAN LA_Transitional Height

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Will Wright, Hon. AIA|LA
Director, Government & Public Affairs
t: 213.639.0764
e: will@aialosangeles.org
www.aialosangeles.org