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Habitat for Humanity of Hillsborough County (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Housing Design Competitions
└ Housing Design Competitions
Tampa's housing crisis has left many residents, including older adults, struggling to afford shelter. To spotlight a flexible solution, Habitat Hillsborough hosted an ADU Design Competition, drawing six teams from schools and architecture firms. At a public event, participants pitched designs to a panel of experts and eight winners were selected. Plans will be posted online for public use, and the contest sparked interest among policymakers and residents. "The kids got to have hands-on experience using CAD" and gained valuable lifelong experience said one of the teachers, underscoring the project's impact on future housing innovation.
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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Whitefish, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: Whitefish's housing shortage forces many older adults to remain in homes that no longer meet their needs, or to leave the area entirely. Shelter WF launched a design competition during the city's Growth Policy Update, drawing 11 submissions and over 120 public votes. The project produced educational materials and a magazine shared with city leaders, sparking conversations about zoning reforms and gentle density. Two board members joined a city review panel, and designs focused on aging in place are now influencing policy discussions to expand affordable housing options.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Portland, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: AIA Maine saw that many residents living in older homes needed clearer ways to plan for safe aging in place. Limited affordable options and uncertainty about how to adapt homes made it hard for people to understand their choices. The group hosted webinars on adaptable housing, aging in place and multigenerational design, then used its 207 HOME competition to surface practical ideas for one floor living and flexible layouts. Seventeen submissions highlighted ways older adults could remain safely housed while staying connected to their communities. A traveling exhibit will bring these examples to public venues and expand awareness. The competition also strengthened conversations with state partners about the housing needs of older adults. One collaborative team designed a series of small ADU style units to support shared living, and their enthusiasm reflected the value of generating ideas that can shape future policy and design.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Montclair, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: Skyrocketing housing costs and property taxes left older adults with few options to remain in their neighborhoods. To address this, Montclair Gateway launched a design competition for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), drawing 31 submissions from architecture students. Six winning designs were exhibited publicly and added to an online resource library, giving homeowners practical plans for age-friendly housing. The effort sparked local ADU applications and informed state policy discussions. "We want to keep our elders close to us at this point in our lives and in their lives," said one homeowner.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Tampa, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Trails
Description: Disconnected sidewalks and a "crosswalk to nowhere" kept older adults at Mary Walker Senior Apartments from safely reaching Takomah Trail Park. The city fixed the crosswalk, added ADA-compliant sidewalks and built a new walkway linking the park loop to the apartments. At the ribbon-cutting, one resident said, "The walkway at Takomah Trail Park is great... I can enjoy these safety improvements," underscoring how the project promotes health and independence through safe, accessible paths.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Tampa, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Trails
Description: The City of Tampa closed a dangerous sidewalk gap that forced people near a housing community to walk close to traffic for everyday trips. For older adults, the missing link limited independence and made routine walks feel unsafe as vehicle volumes increased along the corridor. The city completed a continuous stretch of sidewalk, creating an accessible route that connected residents to nearby streets and transit stops. Neighborhood volunteers helped mark the opening, and residents quickly incorporated the safer path into daily routines. The change reshaped how people moved through the area. One nearby resident said the sidewalk completed her regular walking loop and made her feel safe again. The project also strengthened coordination between the city, the housing community and the neighborhood association, supporting future pedestrian improvements.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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