Fort Collins, CO

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Housing Design Competitions

Description: A design challenge will produce build-ready, age-friendly ADU plans for public use. The plans will guide adaptable housing for older residents.

Anderson, SC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Housing Design Competitions

Description: Anderson County lacks affordable, accessible housing for older adults and people with disabilities, leaving many at risk of unsafe living conditions. The alliance hosted a housing design competition and charrettes to create realistic solutions, adapting plans after Hurricane Helene with virtual outreach and surveys. Five designs were unveiled for public voting, and the winning adaptive reuse concept inspired county leaders to explore converting vacant buildings into housing. Donated land and strong community engagement now position the county to expand options for low-income older adults.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Omaha, NE

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Housing Design Competitions

Description: Omaha's housing shortage leaves many older residents in homes that don't support aging in place. To address this, Omaha by Design launched a duplex design competition to showcase affordable, age-accessible options. The effort produced three winning designs and a public design book, paired with webinars on universal design and a diverse jury that included older adults. These resources are now guiding developers and informing zoning reform discussions. Interest is growing, with one developer immediately expressing plans to build intergenerational housing after seeing the designs, signaling the potential to reshape local housing choices.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.