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.

Anchorage, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Inclusive transportation solutions

Description: To encourage fitness, intergenerational connections and knowledge of local culture, the Cook Inlet Housing Authority worked to improve a walking trail at the Muldoon Creekside Town Center. CIHA designed a colorful map highlighting walking routes with various lengths and difficulties along the trail. To honor Anchorage's Dena'ina history they installed wayfinding signs incorporating indigenous place names and featuring traditional symbolism. CIHA also added dog waste stations and trash receptacles along the trail.

Portland, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Resources about housing options, safety and services

Description: Metro HomeShare created online outreach and educational training modules to familiarize community members with homesharing. The organization helps match homeowners with people looking for a shared housing arrangement. Making information about the benefits and compromises associated with homesharing virtual helped Metro HomeShare grow its program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the shift to digital allowed the organization to move other aspects of its operations online, including outreach surveys, quality of life metrics and client match profiles.