AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Woodstock, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Shenandoah County faced a shortage of smaller accessible homes that would let older adults stay near family and services. The county launched a design competition to create pre-approved ADU plans and used public outreach to explain why flexible housing matters, especially for residents who want to age in place but struggle with large or costly homes. The project sparked discussions among towns about zoning updates that could expand housing choices. A homeowner with worsening mobility shared that the competition gave her hope she could remain in the home she loves. The effort built momentum for long term improvements and informed communitywide planning.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Madison, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: The Realtors Association addressed the lack of affordable and accessible housing options for older adults in Madison, where rising costs and limited land made it harder for longtime residents to stay in their communities. The ADU design competition brought together partners across the housing sector and drew strong engagement through an open house and a broad online campaign. These efforts sparked new conversations about accessibility, sustainability and affordability in small-scale housing. The project also encouraged continued collaboration, with next steps focused on presenting top designs to city leaders and pursuing pre-approval to streamline construction for residents.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Tempe, AZ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: High plan costs and confusing permitting kept many residents from building accessory homes that could support aging in place. Tempe ran a design competition that produced ten standard ADU plans, including accessible and small-footprint options prioritized in the criteria. Hundreds engaged through meetings, an open house and a public vote, and the city is preparing a handout to guide next steps. Staff expect more permit applications and will track how often winning plans are used, connecting homeowners with designers and lowering barriers over time.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Anadarko, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Delaware Nation created an accessible community garden in an area designated as a food desert. Residents of all ages use the garden to plant and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables. The garden includes 25 raised beds, constructed at different heights to accommodate older adults and people with mobility differences. Two beds are specifically designated for growing native plants. Delaware Nation also purchased gardening tools, including wheelbarrows, trellises, garden hoses, an irrigation system and reusable frost blankets. Much of the produce grown onsite is used in meals prepared for the tribe's older members. Tables, shade umbrellas and a charcoal grill allow tribal members to gather and enjoy produce from the garden together.
Chickasha, OK
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Public space activation
Description: As part of wider efforts to revitalize Chickasha's downtown, the Chickasha Economic Development Council made several streetscape improvements. To increase foot traffic to local businesses, volunteers decorated crosswalks with pavement art and created a mural. They also installed benches and bike tracks. The branding effort is meant to redefine the town's commercial district and connect it with the surrounding neighborhoods. Project organizers hope to build on the improvements in the future, adding additional public art and pedestrian infrastructure.
LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED
Find articles and resources about making communities more livable for people of all ages
Download or order free publications from AARP Livable Communities
Sign up for the free, weekly, award-winning AARP Livable Communities eNewsletter
Don't see your community listed?
LEARN HOW IT CAN JOIN THE NETWORKConnect with your AARP State Office
AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Oklahoma State Office
126 N Bryant Avenue
Edmond (Oklahoma City), OK 73034
United States