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City of Moro (2022) Print
2022 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
└ Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
With few housing options, older adults in Moro struggled to downsize or live near family. The city responded by creating two permit-ready ADU designs with accessibility features, shaped by public input and offered free at City Hall. The plans, shared with neighboring Condon, cut design costs and made construction easier. The project sparked enthusiasm for ADUs, a housing type newly allowed in 2022, and is expected to lead to the first builds soon. "It has been wonderful to see members of both city councils... getting excited about ADUs," one participant said.
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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Evanston, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: To help mitigate housing affordability challenges, the City of Evanston created a digital guide for homeowners looking to build accessory dwelling units to their property. Written in partnership with the Evanston Development Cooperative, the guide covers zoning, financing, design and construction, as well as information about who typically lives in ADUs. Additionally, the City hosted a webinar on ADU construction, which it recorded and posted on its website. In fall 2020, the City updated its ADU ordinance to give homeowners more flexibility, allowing them to create separate housing units either attached to or within their existing homes. Project organizers say the guidebook has helped spread the word about the update. ADU construction in Evanston has increased since the guidebook's publication and City has worked to make model ADU blueprints available to residents.
Aurora, CO
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: This project supported ongoing efforts to create 92 permanently affordable condos in Denver's Santa Fe arts district. Situated around a common courtyard, the housing development sits on the former footprint of two single-family homes. The increased housing density makes space for more people attain homeownership in the neighborhood. Energy efficient appliances, solar power and low-flow plumbing fixtures contribute to each home's energy efficiency. Since its completion, project organizers say the project has inspired affordable housing development elsewhere in Denver.
New York, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing
Description: Long Island's housing shortage leaves older adults struggling to stay near family. Regional Plan Association produced videos showing how accessory dwelling units (ADUs) can help, featuring residents who rely on ADUs to age in place or support loved ones. The stories, shared with housing advocates, fueled a statewide coalition and informed proposals like the New York Housing Compact. "We've enjoyed living in an ADU at our daughter's house... but now face incredible uncertainty," said one couple, underscoring the urgency for flexible housing options.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Mosier, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: Following a 2016 oil train derailment and fire that shook their small town, Mosier residents transformed loss into renewal by creating a new community center with a commercial kitchen at its core. The City purchased and installed key equipment to prepare meals for older adults, run a food pantry and help entrepreneurs develop local food products. Volunteers, including older adults and retired chefs, guided the design to meet community needs. A former mayor described the kitchen as "the heart and soul of the new Mosier Center," a place that will bring people together over shared meals while strengthening local health and opportunity.
Hood River, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: To demonstrate ways to make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, the City of Hood River created Streets Alive. They held the pop-up event on two busy streets, adding enhanced crosswalk markings, curb bump-outs and a protected bike lane, which kept cyclists separated from cars during the week of the event. More than 1,000 people gathered to walk, bike and engage with their neighbors. The event featured activities such as yoga and dance classes.Following the tactical urbanism project, the City worked to implement many traffic calming and safety concepts permanently.
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