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Ogden, UT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: As part of long-term revitalization efforts, community leaders have worked to provide safe, quality housing options for low-income families, older adults and veterans living in Ogden's Jefferson Park neighborhood. To build momentum for the initiative, Habitat for Humanity recruited 1,400 volunteers, who completed nearly 70 home repair and renovation projects over a 16-week period. Their work included roof repairs, ramp, deck and fencing installations and yardwork. Additionally, volunteers made upgrades to a popular playground. Organizers say the project restored a sense of neighborhood pride and inspired ongoing improvements, including plans to build affordable housing and renovate a community center in the neighborhood.

Rockford, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: The City launched its Neighborhood Improvement Initiative, focusing on six neighborhoods in Rockford with many older adult residents. The effort connected residents with community agencies and resources. Additionally the project focused on neighborhood beautification. The City held neighborhood clean-up parties and identify home entrances in need of repairs.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Chicago, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Bike Audits

Description: This project will conduct walk audits to identify potential visibility, sidewalk and crosswalk improvements. The organization will recruit older volunteers to participate and meet with residents, business owners and local officials to discuss their findings.

Chicago, IL

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: To promote walkability, economic development and better quality of life for residents, the Chicago Department of Transportation created a replicable prototype for a People Spot. Consisting of a wooden platform, the People Spots transform on-street parking spaces into outdoor patios. To help neighborhood groups set up their own People Spots, the City published construction plans and an assembly manual for the parklets online. Part of the City's Livable Streets Program, organizers say the temporary infrastructure helps neighborhoods overcome economic hardship by encouraging residents to walk and frequent local businesses. The City installed its first People Spot in the South Side Chatham neighborhood in 2018. That iteration measured about six feet wide by 20 feet long, but the platforms can be as long as 80 feet.

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