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Fresno, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Fresno's housing affordability crisis has left many older adults unhoused, even as vacant commercial spaces sit unused. To spark solutions, the council hosted a design competition focused on repurposing a historic Chinatown building for housing. The event drew architects, engineers, students and city leaders, generated 10 conceptual designs and featured a public showcase and building tour that highlighted cultural preservation and code barriers. The effort connected professionals and advocates, creating momentum for adaptive reuse. One volunteer reflected that the experience changed his perspective on safety and livability in this part of town.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Madison, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: The Realtors Association addressed the lack of affordable and accessible housing options for older adults in Madison, where rising costs and limited land made it harder for longtime residents to stay in their communities. The ADU design competition brought together partners across the housing sector and drew strong engagement through an open house and a broad online campaign. These efforts sparked new conversations about accessibility, sustainability and affordability in small-scale housing. The project also encouraged continued collaboration, with next steps focused on presenting top designs to city leaders and pursuing pre-approval to streamline construction for residents.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
La Crosse, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Older residents needed affordable housing options and flexibility to age in place, but city ordinances blocked homeowners from building accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The city launched a design competition, reviewed 36 submissions and selected three winners, then published all designs online to guide future projects. An awards event drew community members and sparked lender interest in financing packages. These steps accelerated ADU adoption, giving residents access to open-source plans that make age-friendly housing and intergenerational living more attainable.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Jackson, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: The City of Jackson wanted to help riders predict when to expect their bus. To do this, City installed transit routers on buses to provide real-time information about arrival and departure times. That allows passengers to track buses through a smartphone app. Previously, they had to access timetables through PDF maps or by calling the Jackson Transit Authority. Project organizers say up-to-date information about arrival times helps residents avoid long waits at the bus stop, with are difficult for older adults and families with small children. The app also allows riders to pay bus fares online -- before they had to purchase tickets with exact change at the bus depot. Since the app's launch, the City of Jackson plans to improve bus stops, introduce a mobile fare payment and help the transit authority track bus ridership.
Jackson, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Jackson residents in low-income neighborhoods faced barriers to fresh food due to limited transportation and high grocery costs. To fill that gap, the City of Jackson built and stocked two community fridges at local service sites, each surrounded by resident-painted frames featuring murals of fruits and vegetables. Volunteers, including older adults, helped decorate and maintain the fridges, which quickly drew steady use. The effort provided consistent access to fresh food and fostered a sense of community pride. "It helps me feed my family and get by," said one resident caring for his nieces, reflecting how the project offered both nourishment and dignity to those struggling with food insecurity.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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