Pittsfield, Massachusetts Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
1/15/2015

Lead Agency: Berkshire Regional Planning Commission

Regional Planning Organization/Metropolitan Planning Organization/Council on Government

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. Civic Participation and Employment

    Train older adults to become effective community volunteers, while training local organizations to use volunteers.

  2. Civic Participation and Employment

    Create opportunities for residents of all ages to engage on civic issues by hosting discussion groups at senior centers and libraries. Organize transportation to and from events with public officials.

  3. Housing

    Explore options to expand affordable housing and help residents age in place, including new financing models for housing development, homesharing arrangements and in-home technology.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

Village of Castleton-on-Hudson (2018)

Castleton-on-Hudson, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Public space activation

Description: The Village of Castleton-on-Hudson regularly hosts a Repair Cafe event, where volunteers repaired any item brought to them, if possible. One problem: the event takes place on the second floor of a Village Hall, which has no elevator. This posed an accessibility issue -- locals often complained about climbing the building's difficult staircase. To solve this, the Village moved its Repair Cafe to Noyes Engine House. They also worked to activate a vacant lot next door, installing a community bulletin board, benches and planters onsite. The improvements support wider efforts to revitalize the village's downtown, with the goal of drawing more people to the central business district.

Rural Housing Coalition of New York (2023)

Albany, NY

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2023

Project Category: Accessory dwelling units, tiny homes and manufactured housing

Description: This project will provide training and assistance to nonprofit organizations and community developers as part of an effort to increase the number of municipalities that permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in their zoning.

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

LEARN MORE AND STAY INFORMED

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AARP Massachusetts State Office

One Beacon Street
Suite 2301
Boston, MA 02108
United States

Phone: 866-448-3621
Fax: 617-723-4224
Email: [email protected]