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Omaha, NE
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: ADUs, tiny homes, missing middle and manufactured housing
Description: Partners for Livable Omaha responded to a shortage of practical, aging-ready housing that made it hard for older adults to stay in their communities. The team advanced a small-house system designed to be accessible, buildable and useful for emerging developers. They hosted a design exhibition, launched a public catalog and website, began construction on two small houses and trained dozens of architecture students and interns who helped expand the design library. The effort prompted builders and developers to explore energy-efficient designs that ease daily living. One student said they gained "meaningful skills development... and better understand how projects move from concept to construction," reflecting how the project strengthened the future workforce.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Tallahassee, FL
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026
Project Category: ADUs, tiny homes, missing middle and manufactured housing
Description: A statewide housing design gallery will showcase adaptable, small-scale housing models suited for older adults. One community will receive technical support to apply a design on a real site.
Los Angeles, CA
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025
Project Category: ADUs, tiny homes, missing middle and manufactured housing
Description: ELACC saw that many longtime homeowners needed clear guidance to understand ADU options and how added income could help them stay stable as they age. Some faced confusing rules about unpermitted work and worries about risky finance products. The team held dedicated ADU workshops, then blended a shorter ADU 101 into monthly homebuyer sessions to reach more residents already seeking housing help. They educated about 45 households on ADU rules, financing and long term benefits and offered HUD-certified counseling that produced tailored action plans. Participants gained practical steps to pursue ADUs, reduce foreclosure risk and support aging in place. A counseling case involving code violations showed how targeted advice can guide safer, legal improvements. The project set the stage for continued workshops and counseling that will help more homeowners move from learning to taking action.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects
Raleigh, NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024
Project Category: Bike Audits
Description: Older adults in Raleigh faced unsafe biking conditions and missing sidewalks, limiting mobility and access to transit. Oaks and Spokes launched bike audits on key corridors, engaging older residents and students to document hazards. Findings prompted City Council to adopt protected bike lanes on Brookside Drive and plan sidewalk improvements. A second audit on Garner Road highlighted urgent safety gaps and drew council attention during a live stream. These efforts accelerated infrastructure changes and built advocacy momentum for safer, age-friendly streets.
Project description was created using generative AI and then reviewed for accuracy.
NC
AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021
Project Category: Entrepreneurship and improved economic resilience
Description: This project created a toolkit to grow local tourism along the Main-to-Main Trail. The trail winds across North Carolina, connecting more than 60 Main Street communities to showcase public art and murals, local food and cultural history and experiences. North Carolina Main Street hoped to build capacity among participating communities, helping them identify their assets and create an economic development strategy. To do this, they created a template for a tourism itinerary, which visitors can follow to find local attractions. They also developed a playbook for affective social media marketing. Since publishing the toolkit, the Rural Planning center has provided guidance on photography, videography and destination writing. Additionally, they are helping local small businessowners to better serve tourists.
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