flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

AIA praises Congress for advancing desperately needed COVID-19 relief

Coronavirus

AIA praises Congress for advancing desperately needed COVID-19 relief

Approval for the latest relief legislation advances a number of AIA-supported measures to help meet the needs of firms and members.


By AIA | March 26, 2020

Courtesy Pixabay

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) praises approval of the third economic relief package passed by the Senate last night, which will provide significant financial support to businesses and their employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. The House of Representatives is expected to pass the bill on Friday and President Trump has already said he will sign the legislation.

In addition to funding for hospitals and hard-hit industries like airlines, hospitality and cargo, the $2 trillion plus emergency rescue package allocates more than $350 billion for small businesses covering an estimated 58-million U.S. workers and more than 30-million small businesses.  

“This is the most significant relief for businesses the Senate has approved since the COVID-19 crisis began,” said 2020 President Jane Frederick, FAIA. “We’re pleased that all of these vital businesses are rightfully recognized as a priority. Architects will be a critical part of economic recovery, and AIA has forcefully advocated for infrastructure investment to stimulate recovery, as well as relief for businesses and employees. This relief package is a good start, and AIA continues to work with policymakers to ensure our members’ priorities are included in additional legislation as we continue to address this crisis.”

Approval for the latest relief legislation advances a number of AIA-supported measures to help meet the needs of firms and members, including the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses and sole proprietors, low interest loans to mid-sized businesses, and the Employee Retention Credit for all businesses. The package allows employers to defer payroll taxes during the crisis and provides direct payments to Americans under certain income thresholds. AIA also supports the package’s provisions to support students and those with student loan debt. A summary of measures most impactful to architecture firms is available on AIA's website.

Last Friday, AIA sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell calling on policymakers to address the critical needs of business owners and employees during the COVID-19 pandemic and outlining the infrastructure investment that is critical to stimulating America’s economic recovery. Both would provide much-needed relief in the short-term; reassure global markets; and help prepare the U.S. for challenges ahead.

As of this morning, AIA members had issued more than 4,500 letters to members of Congress urging them to provide critical relief measures to business owners and the additional resources to those affected by the virus, including frontline responders.

This is the third stimulus package the Senate has advanced to mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, AIA provided firms and architect members with guidance on how Congressional and administration policy activities would impact their practices.

Visit AIA’s website for COVID-19 resources for members.

Related Stories

Coronavirus | Apr 10, 2020

COVID-19: Converting existing hospitals, hotels, convention centers, and other alternate care sites for coronavirus patients

COVID-19: Converting existing unused or underused hospitals, hotels, convention centers, and other alternate care sites for coronavirus patients 

Coronavirus | Apr 9, 2020

COVID-19 Design Innovation Grant: IDA offers $14,000 to spur design innovation for combating the coronavirus pandemic

The International Design Awards is looking for innovations in low-cost ventilators, in-home isolation pods, and reusable masks.

Coronavirus | Apr 9, 2020

COVID-19 alert: Robins & Morton to convert Miami Beach Convention Center into a 450-bed field hospital

COVID-19 alert: Robins & Morton to convert Miami Beach Convention Center into a 450-bed field hospital

Coronavirus | Apr 8, 2020

AIA task force launches tool for assessing COVID-19 alternative care sites

The tool is intended to assist non-healthcare design professionals with identifying alternative sites suitable for patient care.

Coronavirus | Apr 8, 2020

COVID-19 alert: Most U.S. roofing contractors hit by coronavirus, says NRCA

NRCA survey shows 52% of roofing contractor said COVID-19 pandemic was having a significant or very significant impact on their businesses.

Coronavirus | Apr 8, 2020

Navigate supply chain and manufacturing challenges during disruption

First, most important and most complex: Create an extensive safety plan for your facilities and job sites that protects both the personnel onsite and the end users of your product.

Coronavirus | Apr 7, 2020

How to turn a high school into a patient care center in 15 days

HKS’s concept paper presents three scenarios.

Coronavirus | Apr 7, 2020

New Trump administration guidance now allows firms with 500 of fewer employees to qualify for paycheck protection program loans

Associated General Contractors of America secures fix to loan qualifications after alerting administration officials to small business administration language that excluded many firms.

Coronavirus | Apr 6, 2020

New small business administration loan guidance appears to exclude many construction firms that employ fewer than 500 people

Construction officials urge agency to make clear that firms that employ 500 or fewer people to qualify for paycheck protection program loans, regardless of revenue.

Coronavirus | Apr 6, 2020

Pandemic preparedness: How hospitals can adapt buildings to address worst-case scenarios

A Canadian healthcare architect looks at how hospital staff can act now to modify facilities and contain a pandemic.

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category


MFPRO+ Special Reports

Top 10 trends in affordable housing

Among affordable housing developers today, there’s one commonality tying projects together: uncertainty. AEC firms share their latest insights and philosophies on the future of affordable housing in BD+C's 2023 Multifamily Annual Report.



halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021