Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
9/12/2016

Lead Agency: Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Government Agency

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. Outdoor Spaces

    Ensure that local greenways and trails include age-friendly design features, such as benches, shade trees, water fountains and emergency call stations.

  2. Transportation

    Work with the regional public transit provider to expand routes and offer more on-demand services. Explore ways to increase low-cost door-to-door service.

  3. Housing

    Support renters and homeowners who wish to age in place by expanding home repair assistance programs.

Progress Report Download

Mecklenburg County's progress report describes the community's work to improve walkability, help residents get around and teach skills for navigating the digital world, among other achievements. To support local Vision Zero efforts, the County's age-friendly initiative partnered with the City of Charlotte to educate residents about pedestrian safety. They also worked with municipalities to make public spaces age-friendly through accessibility upgrades to sidewalks. Expanded transportation options came through campaigns to educate older adults about public transit service and increase hours of for on-demand service. Age-Friendly Mecklenburg helped connect older adults with home modification and repair services to help them age in place. Additionally, they partnered with libraries to offer digital skills training in English and Spanish, along with education in financial skills and fraud prevention.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Pathway Community Foundation (2025)

Charlotte, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2025

Project Category: Pedestrian Safety

Description: This project will develop an artificial intelligence safety dashboard to identify dangerous streets and guide infrastructure upgrades.

Brand the Moth (2021)

Charlotte, NC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2021

Project Category: Public art installations

Description: Charlotte's Little Sugar Creek Greenway is a popular place for pedestrians, but the path through the Parkwood underpass tunnel was dark and uninviting. Working with local partners, Brand the Moth gave the tunnel new life. The organization commissioned two local artists to design a mural, which volunteers helped install during a community paint day. The new artwork represents Charlotte's people, communities and nature. Residents and visitors can now take a walking tour through the mural. Project organizers say they hope the public art project attracts more people to use the greenway.

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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Connect with your AARP State Office

AARP has offices in all 50 states as well as in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP North Carolina State Office

5511 Capital Center Drive
Suite 400
Raleigh, NC 27606
United States

Phone: 866-389-5650
Fax: 919-755-9684
Email: [email protected]