Eight organizations throughout Pennsylvania will receive 2024 Community Challenge grants. These grants are part of AARP’s largest investment in communities to date with $3.8 million awarded among 343 organizations nationwide.

Grantees will implement quick-action projects that help communities become more livable by improving public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older.

“AARP Pennsylvania is committed to working with local leaders, advocates, and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for Pennsylvanians of all ages, especially those 50 and older,” said AARP Pennsylvania State Director, Bill Johnston-Walsh. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements to address long-standing and emerging challenges across our communities.”

Pennsylvania projects funded include:

• Community Design Collaborative of Philadelphia: This project will develop tiny houses and accessory dwelling unit prototypes, with a focus on designs that are cost-efficient, meet regulatory requirements, and can be easily reproduced. Community workshops will engage people facing housing instability and older adults hoping to age in place.
• Family Services: This project will combat housing instability by recruiting homeowners willing to share their homes with older adults who wish to age at home. The organization will conduct outreach efforts at community events, senior centers, houses of worship, and public agency offices.
• Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance: This project will create an online database of cultural and social impact programming offered by community-based arts organizations. Philadelphia’s City Council will help inform residents about the database, helping older adults and their families connect to arts opportunities.
• UUH Outreach Program: This project will provide three educational workshops for older adults to help them age in place safely. A support team will include an occupational therapist, a registered nurse, and social workers.
• Greater North Penn Area Transportation Management Association: A series of bike audits will identify appropriate locations for new bike lanes, repair stations, bike racks and signage. Audit participants, residents and municipal leaders will meet to discuss the results and recommendations for new bike infrastructure.
• Crispus Attucks York: This project will install outdoor musical instruments in a play zone, creating an accessible space for people of all ages and abilities. The musical instruments will offer a meaningful way for adults to interact with children.
• Juneteenth Lehigh Valley: A walk and run audit through downtown Easton will identify a suitable walking and running path for health-conscious older adults who are new to Easton. JLV will distribute online and written surveys and will share the audit’s results with city officials.
• Bayfront East Side Taskforce: This project will offer free home modifications to older adults, including the installation of grab bars, handheld shower heads, lighting fixtures, and window air conditioners.

This year, AARP awarded three different grant opportunities, including flagship grants, capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability, likeability, and accessible home modifications, and demonstration grants that focus on equitable engagement to reconnect communities, housing choice design competitions, and improving digital connections to endure disasters.

With funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is increasing its investment in pedestrian safety projects that will improve streets and sidewalks, create vibrant pedestrian infrastructure, engage community members, and much more. AARP is also bolstering its investment in community resilience, rural communities, and addressing disparities.

“Whether it’s helping people access high-speed internet or protecting public transit riders from rain and snow, small community projects can have a big impact on people of all ages,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer. “AARP Community Challenge grantees make our commitment to creating better places to live a reality through quick, innovative solutions.”

The grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods, and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. Since 2017, AARP has invested $439,665 through 41 grants to nonprofit organizations and government entities across Pennsylvania.

AARP Community Challenge grant projects will be funded in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by Dec. 15, 2024.

View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions, and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at AARP Pennsylvania. AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering Americans 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability, and personal fulfillment.