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Verde (2018) Print
2018 AARP Community Challenge Grantee
Project Category
Housing
└ Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
└ Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
As Portland's housing costs climb, hundreds of households living in manufactured housing parks are at risk of losing their homes. To help residents with home upkeep, Verde provided critical home repairs to seven mobile homes in the Cully neighborhood. The repairs addressed health and safety issues impacting low-income older adults, people with disabilities and families with children. Additionally, the work provided an opportunity for experienced volunteers to share their skills with residents who are new to home repair.
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Spooner, WI
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: To help homeowners and renters maintain their homes, Wild Rivers Habitat for Humanity created a tool lending library. Volunteers constructed shelving to display a variety of hand and power tools, which library patrons can check out and take home. To increase residents' DIY know-how, Habitat also hosted a series of skills labs for residents. In the future, the nonprofit hopes to create a mobile version of the lending library to use throughout the community.
Portland, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: Unsafe housing and costly repairs threatened older adults' ability to age in place in Portland. REACH's Community Builders Program stepped in to complete major fixes, from replacing sewage pipes and restoring bathroom access to installing an ADA-height toilet and repairing roofs. Volunteers and subcontractors also cleared gutters and improved kitchen safety. These repairs eased financial strain and created healthier homes. "Your help allows us to continue to live independently," said one homeowner, reflecting the program's impact on stability and quality of life.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Seattle, WA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023
Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services
Description: Rising home costs and unaffordable repairs left many older adults at risk of losing their homes. Habitat SKKC expanded its aging-in-place services through the CAPABLE program, combining home safety modifications with in-home support from an occupational therapist and nurse. Six homeowners received tailored plans and repairs, from grab bars to handrails, improving safety and independence. The program helps older adults remain in their homes for years, reducing health care costs and preserving community stability while scaling to serve more households.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Portland, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Entrepreneurship and improved economic resilience
Description: To support the local economy in Portland's St. John's district, the City's Office of Planning and Sustainability launched a volunteer businesses ambassador program. City staff trained volunteers to act as boosters, who helped local businessowners connect with one another. They developed a business inventory and organized focus groups with residents -- including older adults -- to create a civic engagement framework. Project organizers also engaged in placemaking efforts to increase foot traffic. One such project involved creating a mural in the nearby Albina neighborhood. The artwork depicts residents of all ages spending time in a local park. Additionally, the boosters developed plans for a new pocket park.
Portland, OR
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: Expanding HighSpeed Internet
Description: Community Partners for Affordable Housing set out to close a digital access gap for older adults living on extremely limited incomes. Many could not afford home internet or devices, so tasks like booking appointments, applying for benefits and staying in touch moved out of reach. Resident leaders flagged outdated computers and weak Wi-Fi in shared rooms as barriers. The project upgraded three properties with video-ready computer stations and secure, no-cost Wi-Fi, posted clear instructions and held on-site events where residents enrolled in skills training. The improvements let residents access services without leaving home and build confidence using online tools, supporting greater independence and connection.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
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