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City of Tucson Planning and Development Services Department (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Housing Design Competitions
└ Housing Design Competitions
High housing costs in Tucson strain older adults, and while ADUs were legalized to expand options, homeowners lacked guidance and resources. The city launched a design competition that drew 63 submissions, selected 10 winning plans and created a model plan library with a website to simplify permitting and reduce costs. Public engagement events and educational materials boosted awareness. The effort accelerated ADU adoption and sparked community interest, with one participant noting, "I am very excited to bring more housing options to Tucson and AZ!"
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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Cleveland Heights, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: Zoning barriers and high costs limited Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), reducing housing options for older adults. To build awareness and momentum, the city hosted an ADU design competition that drew 28 submissions and over 5,300 online views. Three winning designs will become pre-approved plans, and a showcase event engaged residents and media. These steps laid the groundwork for zoning changes and future ADU construction, offering affordable, accessible housing. One resident said, "After decades of dreaming of a garage conversion for me in my golden years, I was thrilled to learn my city would reconsider zoning."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Bellingham, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: Bellingham's housing shortage left many older adults without options to age in place, even after an ordinance allowed accessory dwelling units (ADUs). To raise awareness, Sustainable Connections hosted an ADU Design Competition that drew 45 submissions and thousands of public votes. The event featured an awards celebration and collaboration with Aging Well Whatcom to ensure designs met aging-in-place needs. The effort educated residents and designers, strengthened ties between planners and developers and sparked momentum for more ADUs, helping older adults live independently while staying connected to family.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Phelps, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: Phelps Business Development and Tourism Council Inc. responded to a shortage of affordable, independent living options for older adults by running a design competition for tiny homes and ADUs. Five designers over age 50 submitted concepts shaped by interviews with older adults, which were reviewed through county public health and the Office for the Aging. The effort sparked community discussions, advanced potential sites and formed partnerships with New Energy Works and Ark Design Studio to turn 12 finalists into 2 zoning-ready plans. With land talks underway and donated labor pledged for a first build, the project accelerated locally supported housing options with rents aligned to fixed incomes.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Tucson, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018
Project Category: Roadway/sidewalks/crosswalk improvement
Description: With brightly painted asphalt, street furniture and large urns hosting potted cacti and other native plants, Tucson's Living Streets Alliance transformed the intersection of 6th Avenue and 7th Street, an area known locally as Corbett Porch. For years, the intersection had been dangerous ground for pedestrians and cyclists. By using inexpensive materials -- such as paint, planters and pliable posts -- to narrow the roadway and create a new, street-adjacent public space, the porch became a street for people. Where only 1 in 4 drivers previously stopped at the intersection's stop signs, a survey found that more than 1 in 3 were obeying the law. Meanwhile, Tucsonans flocked to the public space. Until it was removed to make way for a permanent reconfiguration, the project proved to be such a popular place to see and be seen, it even got its own hashtag: CorbettPorch.
Pima County, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public space improvements to increase high-speed internet availability
Description: Supported telehealth services will be offered at community sites, with trained navigators available. The program will improve health care access in rural areas.
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