Hurricane Helene left a trail of devastation across the Southeast, and many of our members and components have been greatly affected. We’ve connected with the state executive directors and state disaster coordinators in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia to better understand the impact and provide support or resources as needed. In addition, AIA will offer dues waivers for those members impacted in the following components and sections: AIA Asheville, AIA Greenville, AIA Winston-Salem, AIA Tampa Bay, AIA Florida Gulf Coast, AIA Augusta, AIA Southwest Georgia, and AIA East Tennessee.
AIA is also finalizing a letter to Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Schumer, and House and Senate Appropriations chairs requesting urgent action to fund FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, HUD’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery grants, USDA’s Farm Service Agency Disaster Relief programs, and SBA’s Disaster Loan program.
If you would like to help, these state components are collecting funds and working with the local components to identify where and how these funds can be utilized on the ground. Please see below for information by state:
AIA Florida: Hurricane Helene Relief
AIA North Carolina: Hurricane Helene Relief | NC Architectural Foundation
In addition, AIA Tennessee shared these links with their members to help the local community:
United Way of the East Tennessee Highland’s Disaster Relief Fund
East Tennessee Foundation’s Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund
While many continue to struggle to recover from Helene’s impact, communities, especially our colleagues in Florida, are also bracing for Hurricane Milton. Please keep them and all of those that may be impacted in your thoughts.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please let us know.
Take care,
Jen
Jen Schlueter, CAE
Managing Director, Component Engagement