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2024 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Housing Choice Design Competitions
└ Housing Choice Design Competitions
Fresno's housing affordability crisis has left many older adults unhoused, even as vacant commercial spaces sit unused. To spark solutions, the council hosted a design competition focused on repurposing a historic Chinatown building for housing. The event drew architects, engineers, students and city leaders, generated 10 conceptual designs and featured a public showcase and building tour that highlighted cultural preservation and code barriers. The effort connected professionals and advocates, creating momentum for adaptive reuse. One volunteer reflected that the experience changed his perspective on safety and livability in this part of town.
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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Jackson, TN
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: The City of Jackson launched an ADU design competition to make it easier for homeowners to create accessible housing that supports aging in place. Rising costs and limited options left many older adults without practical ways to stay in their communities, so the city sought designs that removed common barriers. The competition produced three winning ADU plans with features such as no-step entrances, roll-in showers, wide doorways and lever-style handles. These will become free, pre-approved building plans to help residents save time and reduce costs. Community interest is already strong, and the city expects the plans to increase affordable housing and help more people remain safely at home. Nearby communities have shown interest in replicating the model, and Jackson will next finalize the plans with its Planning Commission and publish them online for public use.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Madison, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: The Realtors Association addressed the lack of affordable and accessible housing options for older adults in Madison, where rising costs and limited land made it harder for longtime residents to stay in their communities. The ADU design competition brought together partners across the housing sector and drew strong engagement through an open house and a broad online campaign. These efforts sparked new conversations about accessibility, sustainability and affordability in small-scale housing. The project also encouraged continued collaboration, with next steps focused on presenting top designs to city leaders and pursuing pre-approval to streamline construction for residents.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Mobile, AL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Housing Choice 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
Fresno, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Housing Choice Design Competitions
Description: High housing costs and limited multigenerational options in Fresno leave older adults with few affordable choices. To address this, the organization launched an ADU design competition, engaging professionals and students to create sustainable, accessible concepts. Designs were showcased at a public expo with educational materials on permitting and a permanent resource webpage. The effort sparked regional dialogue and plans for a spring roundtable on affordability.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Fresno, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Engaging residents alongside thought leaders in problem solving
Description: Statewide advocacy in California can be a difficult process for residents to navigate. To increase community engagement towards more livable communities, the California State University Fresno Foundation created a curriculum tailored to adults aged 50 or older. The Foundation then provided 24 hours of online instruction to a cohort of older adults over the course of several weeks. Participants learned about issues facing older adults in the Central Valley, where the fastest growing demographic is adults over the age of 85. The students heard from -- and about -- local community groups. They also improved their public speaking, leadership and advocacy skills.
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