AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
La Crosse, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Older residents needed affordable housing options and flexibility to age in place, but city ordinances blocked homeowners from building accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The city launched a design competition, reviewed 36 submissions and selected three winners, then published all designs online to guide future projects. An awards event drew community members and sparked lender interest in financing packages. These steps accelerated ADU adoption, giving residents access to open-source plans that make age-friendly housing and intergenerational living more attainable.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Mobile, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: This project will host an ADU design competition among schools in southwest Alabama, providing on-the-job training and constructing ADUs for older adults and veterans using the AARP Housing Design Competition Toolkit and Home Fit Program as program implementation guidelines.
Keene, NH
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Southwest New Hampshire faces a housing shortage that leaves older adults with few options to age in place. To address this, the commission launched an ADU Design Challenge using real homeowner case studies instead of generic sites. The effort drew 30 submissions for 11 sites, hosted an awards event with 100 attendees and created a web page showcasing designs and resources. Interest was strong, with 75 homeowners volunteering as case study sites, and architects from across New England participating. The challenge sparked conversations about statewide replication and policy reform. One organizer said homeowners' gratitude for the project "was unwavering."
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Arcadia, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Pedestrian Safety
Description: This project will install pedestrian-friendly wayfinding signage in downtown Arcadia. The signs will highlight key destinations, historical sites, and cultural landmarks.
Cape Coral, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Public space improvements to support recovery after extreme weather events
Description: Hurricane Ian stripped Cape Coral's parks of shade and greenery, leaving recreation areas exposed and vulnerable. Keep Lee County Beautiful responded by planting 80 native trees at the BMX Sports Complex. Volunteers learned proper planting techniques while restoring the canopy, which will cool the area, filter pollutants and reduce stormwater runoff for years to come. The effort sparked community spirit. "Youth had so much fun planting the trees that they stayed around and did a park cleanup afterwards," one organizer said, underscoring how recovery work united residents.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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 has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
AARP Florida State Office
360 N. Central Avenue
Suite 1750
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
United States
Phone: 866-595-7678
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]