Charlottesville, Virginia Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
6/6/2017

Lead Agency: Charlottesville Area Alliance

Non-profit

Action Plan Download

An action plan is based on the results of community surveys identifying needs within the 8 Domains of Livability that influence the health and quality of life of older adults. While there is flexibility in how a plan is created and what it will do, every action plan includes a statement about what can be achieved, target dates for goal completion, identification of participating organizations and indicators to measure progress. The action plan is an "active" rather than static document. Revisions and amendments are a sign of program improvement and progress.

Action Plan Highlights

  1. Housing

    Bring housing costs down, identify potential redevelopment opportunities, and increase accessible housing by modifying land use regulations to increase density, and incentivizing accessory dwelling units and manufactured housing.

  2. Transportation

    Remove barriers to transit and identify potential opportunities for on-demand transportation services for rural residents by improving the location, access, and amenities of bus stops.

  3. Social Participation

    Increase social engagement opportunities to ensure people of all ages can fully participate in their community by generating activities and opportunities for older adults and providing dementia awareness trainings to businesses and individuals.

Progress Report Download

Through its working groups, the Charlottesville Area Alliance worked to improve transportation access, expand housing options and offer residents opportunities to form social bonds. The Alliance launched a Bus Buddies program to help older adults navigate the local public transportation system. Additionally, the transportation working group engaged a consultant to conduct walk audits, which evaluated sidewalk and crosswalk accessibility. The housing workgroup offered webinars for homeowners on home modifications that enable aging in place. To combat social isolation, the Alliance also hosted a webinar series for individuals, families and service providers, which covered resources to help older adults build and maintain connections.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission Regional Transportation Collaborative (2021)

Culpeper, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public or private transit access

Description: To inform older adults in rural Virginia about regional transportation options, the Rappahannock-Rapidan Regional Commission launched its Trusted Community Partner campaign. The initiative awards a gold seal designation to vetted transportation service providers in Culpeper, Fauquier, Madison, Orange and Rappahannock Counties. Organizers then worked to educate the community about the seal's significance. To reach residents, the Commission distributed fliers describing the program, created a website and installed benches with advertising. Organizers also presented at nearly 150 community meetings. Additionally, they displayed information about the TCP seal on passenger vans, which they drove through the community. Ultimately, the Commission hopes the seal inspires trust among older adults looking for transportation options. Every provider displaying the TCP gold seal must use drivers that are screened, trained and insured.

Amherst County (2024)

Amherst, VA

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2024

Project Category: Park enhancements

Description: The county will create a bocce ball court in response to requests from older adult residents, providing them with a low-cost, healthy recreation option. The new court will be located at a community center.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

See all nearby projects

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AARP Virginia State Office

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