Fourteen Texas organizations receive 2024 Community Challenge Grants

AARP Awards Grants to 14 Organizations in Texas to Make Communities More Livable

AARP has announced that 14 Texas organizations will each receive 2024 Community Challenge grants, as part of AARP’s largest investment in communities to date. AARP has awarded $3.8 million among 343 organizations nationwide. Projects will implement quick-turnaround initiatives 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 Texas is committed to working with local leaders, advocates and policymakers to make our communities better places to live for Texans of all ages, especially older adults,” said Texas State Director Tina Tran. “Whether we’re helping people access high speed internet or opening up transportation options, small community projects can have a big impact on people of all ages. AARP Community Challenge grantees make our commitment to creating more livable places a reality through quick, innovative solutions. So, we’re looking forward to what these projects will accomplish.”

Listed below are 2024 Texas projects funded by AARP:

United Rescue Alliance, Abilene - This project will expand disaster response and emergency preparedness training across the West Texas region and state for people age 50+. Instruction will be virtual and older residents will receive promotional materials to overcome resistance to technology.

Movability Inc., Austin - Through day-long training camps, older residents will receive firsthand experience with public transit, biking, scooters, walking and other options to help them get around without driving, and improve social connections, healthcare access, technology adoption, and access to government resources. In addition to AARP funding, Toyota Motor North America provide support.

Healthy Communities of Brownsville Inc, Brownsville - The project will create an older adult advisory council, which will work to update Brownsville's 2014 Age-Friendly action plan. Once updated, the organization will present the plan to city policymakers.

Beloved Community Center, Dallas - This project will protect the property rights of lower-income older adults by helping them compile legal and financial documentation and secure their assets. The initiative will help prevent housing instability and enable homeowners to age in place.                                                                                                 
Operation Tiny House, Dallas - Seminars, workshops and a design competition will demonstrate the value of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) for older homeowners, who can rent the ADUs to students and generate additional income. Participants live in a neighborhood situated between two colleges, which are experiencing severe student housing shortages.

Wise County Meals on Wheels, Decatur - Walk audits aim to enhance safety for more than 250 older weekly visitors by assessing the rural area surrounding the community center and identifying safety concerns, to address potential hazards.

FAM Houston, Houston - This project will provide cold storage containers at a community farm, enabling East African migrants to grow and sell traditional crops not widely available or affordable in Houston.

Veteran Hub, Houston - Five educational trainings will teach veterans and older adults about modifications to make their homes safer, more comfortable and allow them to age in place. The project will also create a community display highlighting various home modifications.

City of La Marque Biking Audit, La Marque - This project focuses on safety for older cyclists by conducting three bike audits on multi-use paths to identify hazards and barriers to address in future planning efforts. Bike audits will be led by older adult volunteers from the senior center.

City of Lewisville, Lewisville - The city will host a design competition to encourage construction of accessory dwelling units and increase age-friendly and affordable housing options. The project will include outreach efforts in English and Spanish, as well as Hakha Chin for migrants from Myanmar.

· Fit Houston, Richmond - A series of six bicycle and tricycle audits will evaluate travel routes and address safety concerns along a system of roads and park trails between local senior centers. The audits will support of the rollout of adult tricycle lending libraries.

Local Initiatives Support Corporation, San Antonio - This project will expand the Home Maintenance Workshops, conducted with the City of San Antonio and local nonprofit partners, to train homeowners on home maintenance following renovations. The initiative serves participants in a city-funded home repair program.

Opportunity Home San Antonio, San Antonio - By providing desktop computers and digital literacy courses in several public housing properties, this project will bridge the digital gap and empower older adults so they can access online services and increase connectivity with friends and family.

World Institute on Disability, Sinton - This project will provide access for older adults and people with disabilities to participate in County Rural Emergency Management disaster and preparedness planning activities. Participants will receive Wi-Fi connections to join remote meetings, as well as accessibility accommodations and a stipend to compensate them for their time.

The 2024 grants made to Texas organizations range from $2,500 to $20,000 and include urban, rural, and suburban-based organizations. Since 2017, AARP has awarded 45 grants and $586,142 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

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, with an emphasis on people ages 50 and older. True to the program’s quick-action nature, projects must be completed by December 15, 2024.

View the nationwide list of grantees and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.