Policy and Advocacy
Advance Planning Policy
Understand Policy Responses That Impact Your Work
COVID-19 Policy Resources
Planners need support from federal and state governments to help their communities respond to and recover from the pandemic and its impacts. Learn about existing and upcoming legislation and how you can leverage support to assist your community.
Policy Guides
Tools to Influence Local, State, and Federal Policy
Policy Guides represent APA's official position on critical planning issues and arm planners with the tools to advocate for policies that create great communities for all. Policy guides, developed through a member-driven pricess, cover topics like Hazard Mitigation, Planning for Equity, Housing, Surface Transportation, and more.
Four Issues Worth Fighting For
APA legislative priorities
Climate change and resiliency, federal data and technology, housing affordability and availability, and surface transportation reauthorization and infrastructure investment top the legislative priority list for planners in 2020.
Planners' Advocacy Network
The national network of planning advocates working to shape federal and state policy outcomes.
Sign up for this APA member benefit
Network members gain access to:
- Exclusive resources, tips, tools, and training
- Updates on the latest federal and state issues that impact planners
State Government Affairs
APA's State Government Affairs program provides insights on state policy trends that have an impact on planning across the country, engages state-level partners, and supports chapter level policy and advocacy programs.
Policy Blog Posts
December 29, 2020
Planners' Activism Spurred Congress to Act for Communities
December 16, 2020
Planners Poised to Play Prominent Role in Presidential Transition
October 14, 2020
APA Urges Census Count to Continue
Maintaining Advocacy Momentum: Three Steps for Planners
September 9, 2020
4 Cost-Effective Ways Planners Can Boost Census Response
August 19, 2020
Centering Planning in the Federal Surface Transportation Debate
July 28, 2020
Planners Demand Emergency Funding for State, Local Governments
July 9, 2020
As States Distribute Funds, More Relief Needed for Communities
Amicus Curiae
APA works to advance planning through the judicial process by filing amicus curiae — friend of the court — briefs in select cases of national importance.
Communications Guide
This online, interactive guide is designed to help planners develop and deliver positive values-based messages about planning and APA to targeted audiences.