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City of La Crosse (2024) Print
2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Housing Design Competitions
└ Housing Design Competitions
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.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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See More Projects Like This One
Albuquerque, NM
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: A missing-middle housing design competition will feature public charrettes and small-infill design concepts. The effort will build understanding of age-friendly housing in neighborhoods.
Madison, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing 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.
NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: The Rural Housing Coalition will host a design competition for mobile homes that meet the needs of older adults and people with disabilities. The winning designs will be shared with manufacturers and housing agencies to improve affordable housing options.
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La Crosse, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: This project will revitalize a frequently used route and make it more accessible to residents aged 50 by adding improvements such as a new crosswalk with art, a covered bus shelter and seats, light posts with decorative banners and other amenities.
La Crosse, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Accessibility of amenities
Description: Cia Siab -- a nonprofit serving the local Hmoob community -- wanted to ensure its community center was accessible to people of all ages and abilities. But the stairs at the building's entrance posed a challenge to community elders who use wheelchairs, scooters or other mobility devices. To fix this, the City of La Crosse installed two ramps. The center offers programming to the community, including Hmoob language camp, women's circle and elders program. Access to the site is especially important for Hmong elders, who often struggle with depression, PTSD and social isolation due to their experiences of war, displacement and loss. Since installing the ramps, the City has looked for other community spaces that would benefit from accessibility upgrades.
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