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Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place (2023) Print
2023 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Housing Choice Design Competitions
└ Housing Choice Design Competitions
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.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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Portland, ME
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: AIA Maine will host a design competition to explore innovative housing solutions for underserved communities. The event will include educational sessions on accessibility, aging in place, and lessons learned from the competition.
San Antonio, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: San Antonio needed affordable housing options for older adults, but residents lacked awareness of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). Citymakery launched an outreach campaign with an informational video and a design competition, drawing 275 submissions and engaging families and students. The effort expanded through social media and libraries, sparking citywide interest and informing plans for permit-ready ADU designs. "The design process let me reflect on caring for my grandfather," said one winner, showing how the initiative connected housing solutions to real family needs.
Miami-Dade County, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: 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.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Montclair, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Digital navigation skills
Description: Older adults in Montclair faced digital literacy gaps that left them vulnerable during emergencies. The project trained 40 participants to use smartwatches for alerts, fall detection and SOS features, supported by peer navigators and additional equipment. A best practices report and an online video reinforced learning. Over 90% of participants rated the program "very beneficial", reporting greater confidence and awareness of life-saving tools. One trainee said smartwatch feedback "alerted me to a balance problem" and prompted her to seek professional help.
Montclair, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Community Gardens
Description: Many older adults lacked outdoor spaces for gardening, limiting chances for physical activity and social connection. The project built four waist-high raised beds with wide ADA-compliant paths and fencing, installed rain barrels and signage, and launched a seven-week gardening course in partnership with Montclair Community Farms. Local scouts helped assemble the garden. Residents have expressed how thrilled they are to have this available, adding that they now have a space that fosters pride and engagement.
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