AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Houston, TX
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Entrepreneurship and improved economic resilience
Description: East African newcomers in Houston, many age 50-plus, face isolation and limited income despite deep farming knowledge. FAM Houston equipped 30 farmers with seeds, tools and supplies to sell crops at local markets, creating a Farmers Market Team and piloting biweekly sales. The effort boosted production by 50%, improved nutrition and gave participants a sense of belonging. Surveys show income gains and better health outcomes, and farmers shared cultural knowledge with customers. "When you share the ideas with people, it feels good... it makes me happy," said Emmaculata, reflecting on teaching market shoppers how to cook cassava leaves.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Augusta, GA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Entrepreneurship and improved economic resilience
Description: Music and farming are deep parts of Augusta's culture. To support Black musicians and farmers through agrotourism, Garden City Jazz created a series of outdoor concerts, dubbed Soul Soil. The concert series -- which took place at local farms -- featured performances by professional gospel, jazz and blues musicians and attracted visitors from all around the region. The series also sparked important conversations about the inequities Black farmers face. This resulted in new partnerships, as well as the creation of cooperatively owned farmers market.
Puyallup, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Entrepreneurship and improved economic resilience
Description: This project created an age-friendly business certification program, which identifies businesses that intentionally accommodate older adult customers. After recruiting businesses to participate, project organizers scored each one based on customer service, environment, access and discounts. To incentivize businesses to participate, the Main Street Association chose six businesses with a 90 score to win decorative planter boxes. Participating businesses signed a pledge to be age-friendly and received certification stickers to display in their storefront windows. Businesses can apply to be re-certified every two years.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Raleigh, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: Older adults in Raleigh faced unsafe biking conditions and missing sidewalks, limiting mobility and access to transit. Oaks and Spokes launched bike audits on key corridors, engaging older residents and students to document hazards. Findings prompted City Council to adopt protected bike lanes on Brookside Drive and plan sidewalk improvements. A second audit on Garner Road highlighted urgent safety gaps and drew council attention during a live stream. These efforts accelerated infrastructure changes and built advocacy momentum for safer, age-friendly streets.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Raleigh, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: ADUs, tiny homes, missing middle and manufactured housing
Description: The organization will host tours, workshops and provide design guidance to help residents age 50-plus understand how accessory dwelling units can support aging in place. The project focuses on accessible design and housing planning tools.
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 North Carolina State Office
5511 Capital Center Drive
Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27606
United States