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Shenandoah County (2025) Print
2025 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Housing Design Competitions
└ Housing Design Competitions
Shenandoah County faced a shortage of smaller accessible homes that would let older adults stay near family and services. The county launched a design competition to create pre-approved ADU plans and used public outreach to explain why flexible housing matters, especially for residents who want to age in place but struggle with large or costly homes. The project sparked discussions among towns about zoning updates that could expand housing choices. A homeowner with worsening mobility shared that the competition gave her hope she could remain in the home she loves. The effort built momentum for long term improvements and informed communitywide planning.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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See More Projects Like This One
Missoula, MT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: A community housing design competition will follow recent zoning changes to create buildable home concepts. The designs will help residents explore aging-in-place options.
Henderson, NV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Housing Design Competitions
Description: A housing design challenge will create mixed-use, transit-oriented concepts for city land. The ideas will show how age-friendly homes support aging in place, walkability, transit access and community connection.
Mobile, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing 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.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Winchester, VA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Access to health care services
Description: In Northern Shenandoah Valley, older adults often didn't know what services were available to help them age well, creating a critical gap in receiving city support. The Council convened meetings and produced 3,000 Quick Look Reference Guides listing local health and support resources, distributing them where residents could easily find them. These efforts improved connectivity and empowered people to navigate services confidently. "The council's work created a transformative environment," said one community member, noting its role in reframing aging and fostering collaboration for long-term inclusivity.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Moorefield, WV
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: Public Places Other
Description: The project will construct a short, easy-to-navigate walking trail beside a local community and wellness center used by older adults. The trail will provide a place for gentle exercise, short walks and informal social time near daily services.
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