2025 Grantee Spotlight: PORCH

In Florida’s southwest region, the town of Port Charlotte, known for its beaches, outdoor events, and a community of warm people, is now also home to one of the 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant winners! Peace River Community Housing Partners (PORCH), a local nonprofit, was awarded $16,000 to address the need for affordable housing among older adults in the city.

Port Charlotte faces a growing housing crisis due to rising costs and fixed incomes. With this grant, through a design competition, PORCH’s project aims to design small, duplex homes that will help older residents age in place.

“Smaller housing is a better fit for aging residents,” says Denise Dull, PORCH’s Director of Operations and Marketing. “We hope this design will support not only seniors, but our youth as well.”

As a community land trust, PORCH’s mission is to keep housing costs affordable and sustainable. Their goal? Keep rent below 30% of each tenants’ monthly income, allowing low-and-middle income residents aged 50 and older the ability to live with dignity and peace of mind.

According to Dull, winning the AARP Community Challenge grant is a major step for the new nonprofit with 5 years in activity.

“We haven't been able to develop new projects as quickly because we're still focused on building capital,” she explains. “This award pushed us into a project that will jump us further down the road faster.”

A Port Charlotte resident since 1996, Dull is eager to contribute to the community and see this new housing take shape.

“We have some ideas about how we are going to build this design as soon as possible so it can be an immediate success to the community,” she states.

AARP Florida will be following up with PORCH’s progress in a few months to see how their efforts are progressing! Stay tuned for more and visit AARP.org/FLLivable for more information on the Community Challenge Grant program.