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North Adams, MA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: The North Adams Partnership seeks funding for an ADU design competition to address the housing needs of residents age 50 and over. The competition will create affordable housing options, allowing older adults to downsize while staying connected to their community.
Louisville, KY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Louisville faced high costs and delays for Accessory Dwelling Units, limiting housing options for older adults. To remove these barriers, the city purchased three sets of pre-approved ADU plans and posted them online for free, cutting costs and streamlining permits. The plans include universal design features and options for different lot sizes, making ADUs more accessible for families seeking multi-generational living or supplemental income. The effort has already led to permit approvals and is expected to expand housing choices for aging in place. "People are always looking for opportunities for generational wealth... it's a wonderful opportunity for the city," said one supporter.
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
Canandaigua, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Micromobility enhancements/management
Description: Older adults in Ontario County lacked safe, enjoyable biking options, limiting exercise and social connection. The Office for the Aging purchased two electric pedicabs and two electric trikes, hosted public demonstrations and launched a bike club to organize rides. Volunteers assisted with pedicab driving and safety education in partnership with the Sheriff's Department. The program sparked plans for a bike sign-out system and expanded rides, giving residents new mobility choices. One attendee said he that was very excited to try the trikes and the pedicab, while another is very happy to see a bike club finally starting in his community.
Victor, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Walkability
Description: The project responded to concerns that older adults and other residents could not safely reach village shops or nearby trails due to heavy traffic and limited pedestrian infrastructure. Walk audits along key access roads and well-used paths documented barriers such as difficult crossings and missing amenities that made walking less comfortable. Volunteers gathered data that highlighted where improvements were needed, and findings were presented to local leaders. The effort prompted early planning for walkability, including exploring grants and identifying priorities like benches, bike lanes and safer sidewalks. One volunteer said the project offered "a productive way to be part of positive change."
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