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Montclair, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: 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.
North Adams, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: North Adams Partnership addressed a housing challenge facing residents age 50-plus who wanted to downsize or adapt their homes but found accessory dwelling units difficult to pursue due to cost and design complexity. The Small & Smart ADU Design Challenge translated new housing rules into practical, age-friendly design options by inviting designers and students to create concepts rooted in local conditions. Winning designs were selected through a community review process and made available to residents at no cost, lowering barriers to getting started. The project also highlighted gaps in financing and technical support and led to public panels that helped residents understand next steps. One student designer said she wanted her plan to feel welcoming, with space so residents could be comfortable having family over for holidays. The effort clarified a realistic path for older adults to age in place while modestly expanding housing choices.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Cleveland Heights, OH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Zoning barriers and high costs limited Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), reducing housing options for older adults. To build awareness and momentum, the city hosted an ADU design competition that drew 28 submissions and over 5,300 online views. Three winning designs will become pre-approved plans, and a showcase event engaged residents and media. These steps laid the groundwork for zoning changes and future ADU construction, offering affordable, accessible housing. One resident said, "After decades of dreaming of a garage conversion for me in my golden years, I was thrilled to learn my city would reconsider zoning."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Trenton, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Bikeability
Description: The Trenton Health Team wanted to encourage older residents to take up cycling by increasing the community's access to bikes. The organization launched its bike share program, which they geared toward older residents. They obtained 20 bikes, three adult tricycles and a two hand-powered cycles. Then they piloted the bikeshare during Trenton's annual open streets festival. In 2022, the East Trenton Collective offered up a carriage house on its property as a community bike hub for trainings, events, repairs, storage and lending. To spruce up the site, the Trenton Health Team commissioned a fence made of recycled bike parts and artistic bike racks, as well as signage designed by a local artist. The bikeshare is now permanent, with plans to lend out bikes at the community's senior center.
Stockton, NJ
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: The Partnership set out to understand safety issues along a 12-mile stretch of the Delaware River Scenic Byway, where cyclists faced hazards such as debris, cracked pavement and faded markings that forced riders, including older adults, into traffic. Volunteers completed 34 audits, documenting conditions across three segments and noting that while many riders enjoyed the route for recreation and commuting, problems like fallen branches and drainage issues created real risks. One rider described ending up in the emergency room after hitting a branch on the shoulder. The project produced clear recommendations for permanent "share the road" signage, more frequent debris removal, better maintenance and guidance for less experienced riders to use the adjacent canal trail. These findings will be shared with municipalities and land managers to help improve safety for the long term.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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