History
ASSIST was founded in 1969 by architects in private practice and at the University of Utah who wanted to provide design and planning services to lower income households and neighborhoods. The design and planning work grew to include the regional issues of growth and change throughout the Wasatch Front. Over the past 45 years ASSIST has sought to foster projects in the public interest that bring good design and equitable benefits to all communities.
Historical Highlights
| 1969 | Started by Carl Inoway in corner of Utah AIA office |
| 1970 | Incorporated 11/20/1970 as 501(c)(3) Utah Corporation |
| 1971 | Received Model Cities grant of $22,000 and moved to 218 E 500 S |
| 1972 | Surveyed central city residents and started Emergency Home Repair program |
| 1975 | Published Inside-Out-Renewal study and models |
| 1980 | Published Gateway study and West South Temple A Mixed-Use Development District study and model |
| 1982 | Published Housing in Different Contexts |
| 1985 | Published Rural Design and Jefferson Historical District study (Ogden) |
| 1986 | Published Sandy Historic District study and model |
| 1987 | Co-Founded Urban Design Coalition. Printed Poor Choices Threaten poster |
| 1988 | Participated in AIA R/UDAT (regional/urban design assistance team) |
| 1990 | Set up Community Development Corporation of Utah |
| 1992 | Hosted Association for Community Design annual national meeting |
| 1993 | Published and distributed to all Utah legislators Our Transportation Future |
| 1994 | Co-sponsored New Utah Housing Competition |
| 1995 | Put on Future Moves Conference at Salt Palace |
| 1996 | Sponsored East Downtown community design workshops |
| 1997 | Presented at Gov. Leavitt’s Growth Summit |
| 1998 | Participated in original Envision Utah Scenarios Committee. Published ASSIST Guidebook to the Accessible Home, Ed. 1 |
| 2000 | Citizens’ Alternative to the Legacy Highway presented |
| 2002 | ASSIST Guidebook to the Accessible Home, Ed. 2 published |
| 2005 | ASSIST Guidebook Ed. 3 published. Distributed 10,000 Visiting New Heights visitablity posters. Legacy Parkway and Preserve settlement. |
| 2008 | Published IDEAS for Home Improvement Energy, Water & Access |
| 2011 | Proposed 300 South Bicycle Boulevard. Provided 13 Energy Efficiency grants |
| 2012 | Hosted Association for Community Design annual national meeting |
| 2013 | Presented AIA national conference on Visitability for Healthy Neighborhoods. Joined Green and Healthy Homes collaboration |
| 2014 | Presented Shared Solution alternative to the West Davis Freeway. Published Bright IDEAS for Home Improvement Health, Energy, Access, Water |
| 2015 | Presented on design leadership for visitability and practical modifications to the U.S. Access Board |