AARP Hearing Center
AARP Livable Communities Map
See More Projects Like This One
Suffolk County, NY
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Suffolk County's housing costs leave many older adults with few options to age in place. To spark solutions, the county launched the Home to Opportunity ADU Design Contest, inviting residents to submit accessible accessory dwelling unit concepts. Winning designs were showcased with 3D models, and a published report now guides future ADU development. The project also funded research mapping senior housing zoning patterns, informing policy discussions on expanding housing options. Local media coverage amplified the effort, showing how ADUs can support independence and affordability for older residents.
Lake City, MN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Lake City, home to one of Minnesota's oldest populations, faced a shortage of affordable housing and options for aging in place. Although ADUs were allowed, few residents pursued them due to lack of awareness and design access. The Port Authority launched an education campaign with informational sessions, brochures and a dedicated webpage. They partnered with housing advocates to provide free pre-reviewed ADU designs, including above-garage options. Interest surged, with residents contacting city planners and realtors seeking guidance.
Altoona, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: Residents seeking smaller, more affordable homes had few options because no accessory dwelling units were being built, and many people were unsure how ADUs worked or why they mattered. To address this, the city held an open house where designers pitched ADU concepts, recorded the presentations and shared them online. A new website explained ADUs and offered clear guidance on their use. The event produced several ready-to-use designs and began generating local interest. One presenter described how an ADU had once helped her shelter a friend, saying it "literally saved her," highlighting how these small homes can support people with changing needs.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Salt Lake City, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: Unsafe streets and limited transportation options in Glendale put older adults and children at risk near schools and local housing. The council developed an active transportation plan and installed traffic-calming murals to slow cars and engage residents. The plan sets long-term goals for safer, walkable streets and improved transit access, while murals sparked interest in 16 more locations. "The street murals were a fun and engaging way to connect with residents."
Salt Lake City, UT
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety
Description: Older adults in Salt Lake City often feel overlooked in transit planning, leaving them isolated in neighborhoods divided by highways and poor air quality. HEAL addressed this by hosting walk audits and listening sessions, creating a toolkit for residents, and partnering with the transit authority to teach residents how to use buses and apply for reduced fares. These efforts amplified older voices in city studies and boosted independence by showing practical routes and services. One participant said learning about a nearby bus line made them feel less dependent on rides from family and friends.
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 Utah State Office
6975 Union Park Center
Suite 320
Midvale (Salt Lake City), UT 84047
United States