New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well (2025) Print

star-24px 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee

Project Category

Housing
└ Housing Design Competitions
Many older adults in New Jersey want to remain in their communities but face a shortage of housing that is affordable, accessible and suited to changing mobility needs. Much of the state's housing stock is older and multi story, limiting realistic options for residents who want to downsize or age in place. New Jersey Advocates for Aging Well addressed this challenge by hosting a statewide housing design competition focused on practical, age-friendly models, including accessory dwelling units, single family and multi family homes. A volunteer panel of architects and housing experts reviewed submissions and selected winning designs that demonstrated how accessibility and affordability could be achieved within existing communities. The resulting report provided concrete examples that communities could use in local discussions.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

See More Projects Like This One

Shelter WF (2024)

Whitefish, MT

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Housing Design Competitions

Description: Whitefish's housing shortage forces many older adults to remain in homes that no longer meet their needs, or to leave the area entirely. Shelter WF launched a design competition during the city's Growth Policy Update, drawing 11 submissions and over 120 public votes. The project produced educational materials and a magazine shared with city leaders, sparking conversations about zoning reforms and gentle density. Two board members joined a city review panel, and designs focused on aging in place are now influencing policy discussions to expand affordable housing options.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Cook Inlet Housing Authority (2024)

Anchorage, AK

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Housing Design Competitions

Description: Anchorage's shortage of small multi-family housing with accessible units leaves older adults few options to age in place. To address this, a design competition engaged architects, builders and aging experts to create realistic plans for 2-4 unit homes with ground-floor accessibility. Designs were unveiled at public events, including a First Friday showcase that drew nearly 1,500 attendees and sparked dialogue on housing solutions. Two designs could be built under current codes, and one resident shared, "I love my mom living with us...I would always choose to have my mom live with us."

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

City of Roanoke (2023)

Roanoke, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Housing Design Competitions

Description: Facing an aging population and rising housing costs, Roanoke updated zoning to allow accessory dwelling units but needed to build awareness. The city partnered with AIA Blue Ridge for a design competition that produced four pre-approved ADU plans, an online design book and a resource website. Workshops and an awards event showcased universal design and aging-in-place strategies. Residents are now exploring ADU construction using these plans, a shift expected to add new units each year and help older adults stay in their neighborhoods.

Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Trenton Health Team Inc. (2020)

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.

Saint Peter's University Hospital (2026)

Monroe Township, NJ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Disaster Preparedness

Description: Disaster preparedness trainings will serve older adults living in nearby communities. Participants will receive checklists and starter emergency supply kits.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

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