COVID-19 Resources Page

As a member-based organization, AIA Seattle is rapidly shifting its response to this public health crisis with remote learning and engagement opportunities, and aggregating regional and national resources for our members. We are here for you during this difficult time, and all staff are continuing to work remotely to serve you. Below, we have compiled a list of membership-, business- and management-related resources to connect you with what you need. Programming updates will continue to be made on our events calendar, and homepage. Check out the webinar recordings from our recent live programming on our Education Programs page.

Have questions or resources you’d like added to this list? Please contact Anthony Collins, Membership & Development Coordinator at anthonyc@aiaseattle.temp312.kinsta.cloud. We will add things here as we find them.

Member & Firm-specific Resources:

• AIA’s summary of the recently approved federal stimulus bill (CARES) Act. Here are some helpful documents for guidance through the bill and FAQs, created by AIA Minnesota
• AIA National’s Covid-19 Resources Page with multiple resources, being updated regularly
• Contact your local permitting office for help with in-progress developments
•  OSHA’s “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” – a valuable resources for both architectural offices and construction sites
• 2018 Seattle Construction Code adoption delayed
• Free courses to support your practice from AIAU

On Returning to the Office

As the COVID-19 situation evolves, many offices and firms are shifting focus to strategizing for safe and gradual re-opening and returning to the workplace. We are compiling resources regarding returning to the office on this separate page, including PPE sourcing information and State recommendations.

Featured Webinar Events

• Washington State COVID-19 Response “New Normal” planning, a powerpoint from Boston Consulting Group

Tech Resources

• Autodesk is offering free & extended access to its cloud collaboration products
• List of tools & resources for remote working courtesy of BSA
• Zoom training resources page
• Source is making all its digital tools and services free to the commercial design community

ARE Resources

• ArchiPrep is free through August.
• Our colleagues at AIA San Francisco put together a web-based web-based ARE program that is available to all members. Here you can find their 2020 course schedule, and here is where you can sign up. The second link will allow you to sign up for courses one-by-one, rather than in a chunk per the linked PDF.
• Prometric has decided to keep all test centers in North America closed until at least May 31, 2020. As a result, NCARB has extended their no-cost rescheduling period for Architect Registration Examination® (ARE®) appointments and is adding an additional six-month rolling clock extension to all valid passing scores.

Dues

• Information on AIA Dues Installment Program
• For further information on AIA Dues Reductions and/or the Installment Program, please contact info@aiaseattle.temp312.kinsta.cloud

Project Specific Resources

Look to this separate post on our website for Seattle Code and Permitting resources, as well as updates as we know them for Washington State resources and impacts, including info on Small Business Support.

Best Practice Materials from AIA & AIA Trust:

• The AIA Foresight Report and navigating through a recession with new business models
• Straightforward Advice on Preserving Cash Flow
• Navigating the Economy: Architects Weather Ebb and Flow of Projects
• An Architect’s Guide to Virtual Practice
• Small Firm Exchange
• AIA Disaster Assistance Program (being regularly updated)

Financial Resources:

• City of Seattle Small Business Stabilization Fund
• Low-Interest Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Paycheck Protection Program Check out this helpful sheet on how to apply.
  • AIA National’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) FAQ 
• Gov. Inslee announced WA’s Working Washington Small Business Emergency Grant program to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19 with emergency funding of up to $10,000. More info here.
• United Way of King County List of Resources for Unemployed Workers due to COVID-19
• The Washington State Department of Revenue can provide extensions on taxes or waive penalties.
• AE Insurance’s COVID-19 resource list, including information about how insurance policies are affected by furloughs or layoffs, business interruption coverage, and more

How to Help: 

• Fill out AIA National’s Rapid Response Covid-19 taskforce firm work/project survey as they are mobilizing efforts on behalf of architects who are contributing to relief efforts.
• Have specific experience building out temporary medical enclosures or field units? Or build out retrofitting for arenas, convention centers, dorms, etc.? Please send capability statements to USACE Army Covid-19 Unit. More information here.
• A “Take Action” webpage, created by Opportunity Starts at Home, where advocates of the campaign can send pre-formatted letters to their federal elected officials urging them to include critical housing resources in the next COVID-19 relief package.
• Housing Development Consortium’s (HDC) resources page and feedback tool 
• Seattle Foundation’s COVID-19 response fund
• In The Neighborhood is an accessible platform for Seattleites to share resources, collaborate, and encourage support

Additional COVID-19 Resources:

• Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• CDC’s Guidance for Businesses and Employers to Plan and Respond to COVID-19. This includes recommended strategies for employers to use now, planning considerations, and recommendations for an outbreak response plan
• World Health Organization (WHO) Recommendations for Mass Gatherings
• United States of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)