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Washington, DC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility

Description: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Iona Senior Services needed to transform its Aging Solo series from in-person classes to Zoom instruction. The popular series provides information, strategies and a supportive community to older adults who don't have a family support network. Iona offered the virtual classes for six weeks and -- to reach a larger audience -- recorded them for future sharing. The new online format allowed Iona to reach individuals who would not have been able to participate in person, and course leaders modified the curriculum to recognize the pandemic's impact on older adults. To expand the initiative's reach, project organizers also created and distributed an electronic discussion guide for use by faith communities, aging-in-place villages and other organizations.

Akron, OH

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility

Description: The project will help support construction of a 16-unit affordable housing development in Akron. The homes will incorporate accessibility features for older adults.

Knoxville, TN

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility

Description: Family Promise of Knoxville's transitional housing program gives unhoused families a place to live while they get back on their feet. Many residents use the organization's Day Center to gather, access the internet, read and work on homework. But the communal space was dimly lit, which caused many residents to feel unsafe. To make the space more welcoming, organizers installed new light fixtures, as well as energy-efficient ceiling fans. They also installed doors to separate offices, a work room, computer lab and storage spaces. Organizers say they wanted to be sensitive to the trauma many families have experienced and hope the upgraded space gives residents dignity during their shelter stay.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Tucson, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2019

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: City officials set out to revitalize the underused Francisco Elias Esquer Park, located around the corner from a large public housing community for older adults in Tucson's Barrio Blue Moon neighborhood. To address the needs of locals with disabilities, volunteers installed a wheelchair accessible walking path, benches and a dog comfort station for service animals. They also added passive water harvesting basins to draw birds, bees, butterflies and other wildlife. At a planting party for community members -- one of several events to publicize the new amenities -- neighbors spent a day digging in the dirt and enjoying a renewed sense of community.

Tucson, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions

Description: This project will develop a design competition to promote accessory dwelling units and create a model plan catalog featuring ADUs that support a variety of needs, including for older adults and multigenerational families.

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