AARP invests in 8 Texas communities as part of its nationwide grant program 

Communities across Texas are working to become more livable for residents of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. AARP, in partnership with local leaders, organizations and dedicated residents, is helping to help make that vision a reality. To support that effort, AARP recently announced its largest investment of grant dollars, to date, through the Community Challenge grant program. More than $3.6 million in 310 quick-action grants are being distributed across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

AARP Texas is incredibly proud to have eight grantees here in our state.  “AARP Texas is committed to working with local leaders to improve the quality of life for residents through real, tangible changes,” said Tina Tran, AARP Texas state director. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees. They will be making immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for Texans 50 and over.”

Here in Texas, these exciting and diverse projects were funded:

Aging is Cool, Austin - This project will engage older adult volunteers to conduct walk audits in high-traffic zones near grocery stores in Central and South Austin. Walk audits help identify which roads and intersections should be walkable and crossable, but instead are dangerous by design, for pedestrians.

Better Blocks Foundation, Dallas – This project will revive a local farmers market by creating a space for it in a vacant lot and making sidewalk connections so people of all ages and abilities can navigate the area.

Citizens’ Transportation Coalition, Houston - This project will conduct walk audits along Washington Avenue, a busy commercial district surrounded by residential homes. Walk audits help identify which roads and intersections should be walkable and crossable, but instead are dangerous by design, for pedestrians.

CityMakery, San Antonio – This project is a design competition for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) to encourage families and students to think creatively about ADUs as a way of creating multigenerational households and providing for older family members so they can age in place. ADUs can be small houses or apartments on the same property lot as a single-family residence. ADUs are re-emerging as an affordable and flexible housing option that meets the needs of older adults and young families alike.

City of Kerrville - The project will install five benches along the River Trail, giving older walkers a place to rest and socialize, and plant five trees to provide shade.

Lao American Association of Houston - This project will turn vacant land into a community garden with eight raised beds, to grow vegetables common in Southeast Asian cuisine, but hard to find in Houston supermarkets and grocery stores.

Red Line Parkway Initiative, Austin - The project will install wayfinding signs along the Red Line Parkway, a walking and cycling route that stretches for more than 32 miles.

University of Houston - Downtown  - This project will provide residents aged 50+ with tablet computers, along with tutorials from university student volunteers on how to use the tablets.

Since 2017, AARP has awarded 31 grants and more than $461,000 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across Texas.

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, especially those age 50 and older. Livable communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life. The AARP Community Challenge funds innovative projects that inspire change in areas such as public places; housing; transportation; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital connections; community resilience; and more.

This year, AARP bolstered its investment in rural communities, mobility innovation, transportation options, and health and food access. The program accepted applications across three different grant opportunities, including existing flagship grants in addition to new capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability and community gardens. New demonstration grants will focus on improving transportation systems, with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, and housing choice design competitions.

To learn more about the work being funded by the AARP Community Challenge both here in Texas as well as across the nation, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all the Community Challenge projects and the work of AARP Texas livable communities at aarp.org/livable.