Portland, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Housing Design Competitions

Description: An aging-in-place guide and video will be created from proven housing examples. The materials will help neighborhoods explore local housing pathways.

Lewisville, TX

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Housing Design Competitions

Description: Rapid growth and rising housing costs left older adults struggling to age in place, even after zoning changes allowed accessory dwelling units (ADUs). To raise awareness, the city launched a Backyard Cottage Design Competition, engaging more than 18,000 residents through events and multilingual outreach. Older adults volunteered at parades and judging sessions, while the contest drew 67 design submissions and awarded prizes across multiple categories. The effort sparked interest in ADUs, led to a Permit Ready Plans portal for pre-approved designs and strengthened community engagement for future housing solutions.

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

Cleveland Heights, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Housing 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.