See More Projects Like This One

Portland, OR

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: 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.

Bethel, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2017

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: The Town of Bethel's Age-Friendly Community Initiative created four displays featuring adaptive tools, as well as a catalog with descriptions of each tools and information about where to buy them. One display has been deployed at community outreach events attended by hundreds of residents. Two others are available for nearby communities to borrow for their own events. A local hardware store provided a home for the third display to make adaptive tools available to Bethel residents. In addition, project organizers engaged an occupational therapist to conduct home assessments to help residents determine their risk of falls. Grant funds also supported the local smoke alarm installation and fire escape plan program, conducted in partnership with local fire departments and the Maine Red Cross, as well as the National Fire Protection Association's Be Safe in Your Home initiative.

South Portland, ME

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2026

Project Category: Innovative home maintenance, repair and support services

Description: The outreach will share energy guides and weatherization kits at community spaces across South Portland. Residents will learn simple home improvements that lower energy use, improve comfort and support aging in place.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Aguila, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The Aguila Community Center in rural Aguila is a community hub for residents of all ages, despite its aging infrastructure, leaky roof and signs of wear and tear. To make the facility useable during the monsoon season, leaders at the center fixed the concrete floor with laminate plank flooring and weatherized the roof to make the facility fully functional. Since the improvements, the Aguila Community Center has hosted COVID-19 vaccine clinics, fitness classes, quincenearas and other community celebrations and events during all months of the year.

Phoenix, AZ

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2022

Project Category: Lifelong housing and accessibility

Description: Organizers with G.A.S.K.I.N.S. hoped to use smart home technology to help older adults safely age in place. Volunteers conducted home assessments, using AARP's Home Fit Guide and other assessment tools. They then completed home modifications for seven families, completing repairs, adding accessibility features and providing them with smart home technology, such as camera doorbells. Finally, they trained program participants on how to use the new technology. Organizers report the interventions improved participants' mental health and enabled them to live more safely and comfortably in their homes.

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