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Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity (2017) Print
2017 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
└ Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
The Farmville Area Habitat for Humanity purchased a trailer and equipped it with tools, which the organization uses to make safety improvements to homes. Often owned by local families for generations, many of the homes need significant repairs. Project organizers report the trailer -- which is branded with Habitat's logo and contact info -- helps raise awareness of the home repair program. They also say other local Habitat branches have expressed interest in their own mobile repair trailers. Since the trailer purchase, the repair initiative has grown, with Habitat seeing more applications. It has since expanded its services to neighboring counties.
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Detroit, MI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: Detroit's aging residents often face unsafe homes and limited resources for repairs. Road to Freedom stepped in to fix porches, plumbing, doors and windows at no cost, while engaging volunteers to assist. The effort improved safety and comfort for older adults and built partnerships with local centers to ensure ongoing support. "I am so happy and excited about the work performed in my home," wrote one participant, underscoring the value of these repairs.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Elgin, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: Older homeowners in Elgin faced unsafe conditions they could not afford to fix, threatening their ability to age in place. Through its Aging in Place program, Habitat completed 16 projects including the addition of ramps, grab bars and railings. It also converted tubs to showers and performed HVAC repairs. These changes eased daily living and reduced stress for residents. One homeowner said, "Thank you so much for the air conditioning replacement. With my COPD it was extremely difficult to breathe." Another called a new walk-in shower "a lifesaver." The upgrades allow older adults to remain safely housed and maintain independence.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Alton, IL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: Extreme summer heat in Alton puts older adults at risk of illness, with many unable to afford cooling. Project Cooldown installed 30 window AC units and repaired two HVAC systems for residents. Outreach through flyers and partnerships connected volunteers and contractors to the effort. The initiative also uncovered broader housing repair needs and strengthened local networks for future projects. One recipient shared how very thankful she was, and had confidence that she would survive the summer because she could now stay cool.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Powhatan County, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility
Description: The site of Powhatan's historic Pocahontas School sat unused for many years. Organizers with Habitat for Humanity saw the campus as an opportunity to provide needed affordable housing for local older adults. To envision possibilities for the space, Habitat hosted four community design. At the workshops community members worked with a local architectural firm to draw up plans to transform two school structures into apartment buildings offering one- and two-bedroom units. Once completed, the development will offer 21 new affordable housing units in total. Organizers say the charrette also helped attract 2.2 million in financing for the project. Going forward, Habitat plans to continue to explore ways to fill the area's growing need for affordable housing.
Powhatan County, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management
Description: The Powhatan County Department of Social Services hoped to give local older adults a unique way to get around town. The Department's Ride Assist Services purchased four easy-to-ride adult tricycles. To help allow residents to try them out, they also purchased a covered trailer. This allows them to transport the trikes to community events, including Powhatan's annual Earth Day celebration. Interested riders can borrow the trikes, after signing a waiver and donning a helmet. To further encourage people to explore town by foot or bike, the County also installed decorative benches downtown. In the future, the County hopes to launch a share or rental program to allow on-demand access to the tricycles.
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