Albany, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing

Description: This project will provide training and assistance to nonprofit organizations and community developers as part of an effort to increase the number of municipalities that permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in their zoning.

Albany, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Community Gardens

Description: The Underground Railroad Education Center constructed an accessible, indoor garden in the Arbor Hill neighborhood, whose residents lack access to fresh produce and gardening space. Designed for year-round use, the new hoop house represents an intergenerational collaboration between younger and older adults. Local teenagers created and installed planters and now help grow food there. Albany businesses and volunteers also contributed to the project by building benches for the site. Today, the Center grows produce, such as lettuce, in the greenhouse, which it donates to people in the community.