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Miami Center for Architecture & Design Inc. (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Housing Choice Design Competitions
└ Housing Choice Design Competitions
Miami's housing shortage leaves older adults with few affordable and accessible options. To address this, the project launched a design competition and partnered with architects, universities and health agencies to create ADU plans that prioritize affordability, sustainability and accessibility. Public charrettes and exhibitions showcased innovative designs for multigenerational living. These efforts sparked ideas for aging-in-place housing and will lead to free online plans, helping homeowners add ADUs without costly design work and promoting long-term solutions for inclusive housing.
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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Hamilton, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: NJAAW will host a design competition to promote age-friendly and affordable housing in New Jersey. The competition will focus on ADUs, single-family, and multi-family housing, judged on middle-income solutions and universal design. Winning designs will be publicized statewide to encourage development.
Bettendorf, IA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: The Quad City Area REALTORS will host an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) design competition, focusing on the needs of adults age 50 or over, rental income, and affordable housing. Local students and architects will submit designs, with top entries displayed publicly and eligible for cash prizes.
Lihue, HI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: High housing costs in Līhu‘e left older adults and families struggling for affordable options. Better Block Hawaii hosted a design competition for climate-resilient, age-friendly accessory dwelling units, engaging residents through workshops and a review committee. Eight submissions were received, and winning designs were published in a free booklet to guide future builds. "This is a home I can imagine living in," said one attendee at the community open house. The project raised awareness of ADUs as a practical solution for housing and supplemental income and sparked interest in similar efforts across Hawaii.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Miami, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Public or private transit access
Description: Older adults in Miami-Dade faced barriers to using public transit and on-demand ride-hailing services, limiting mobility and social engagement. Transit Alliance launched My Transit My City, hosting workshops and tech training to teach participants how to navigate the redesigned bus system and use free ride-hailing apps. Outreach included flyers, helplines and pop-up events, and older adults enrolled in the Golden Passport program for fare-free rides. One participant said, "For those who are in their latter years, something new is always a bit frightening, but once they try it... they...like it," reflecting restored confidence.
Miami, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Addressing community health
Description: In downtown Miami, where green space is scarce and many older adults face isolation, Friends of The Underline launched the Walk4Life walking club to help residents connect and stay active. Participants met weekly for guided walks and stretching along the new urban trail, with a solar-powered kiosk tracking miles and celebrating progress. More than 200 people joined the 10-week program, creating friendships and routines that extended beyond the walks. "This is the only time I push myself," said one participant, noting how the group gave her strength and purpose. The project proved that even simple movement, especially when shared outdoors, can bridge communities and improve well-being.
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