Shine the Light 2023
SMBW is thrilled to share our 2023 Shine the Light campaign on Housing Equity.
Every single day, people walk through spaces—classrooms, offices, grocery store aisles—that influence them in both small and extraordinary ways. Of all the spaces that a person experiences, “home” is undoubtedly the most powerful. The home serves as a sanctuary for those who live there, providing the comfort, stability, privacy, and security that is crucial to one’s physical and emotional well-being.
Over the past few years, the term “Housing Crisis” has dominated the headlines—but what does that mean? From supply and labor shortages during the 2020 pandemic to the notable decrease in construction following the Great Recession, the United States has a shortage of between 1.5 million and 6 million homes. This shortage has pushed would-be homebuyers into the rental market, resulting in rising rental costs that have left many struggling to find and maintain housing. Locally, Richmond City Council has officially declared a housing crisis and called for increased attention and funding to be put towards affordable housing solutions.
As designers, architects, engineers, brokers, and builders, we are in the unique position to effect positive or negative change on others through the the built environment. Our Shine the Light program acknowledges the role we play in shaping the spaces around us and seeks to educate ourselves and our audience about issues facing the communities we design for so we can design a more thoughtful, equitable world.
Join us over the next few months as we explore the current housing crisis, the significance of having safe and equitable housing, and what professionals in the AEC field can do to help through a series of research papers and discussions with local experts in the realm of affordable and equitable housing.
Visit the campaign here.