AARP Announces 'Quick-Action' Community Challenge Grant

AARP has announced the second year of its Community Challenge grant program, which aims broadly to improve the built and social environments for people of all ages and abilities. Melanie Curry explains:

The grants can go to transportation projects, either permanent or temporary ones, that help increase walkability, bikeability, wayfinding, or access; to permanent or temporary projects and programs that activate and improve open spaces and parks; to projects that support or help increase access to affordable housing; and to other innovative projects that improve a community.

In its first year, the program awarded 88 grants nationwide that "put in crosswalks, added street signs, lighting and bike racks, cleaned up and activated alleys and parks, built gardens, created Open Streets events, created walking tours and walking paths," and more.

Projects can be large or small, but must be completed rapidly—within less than six months of applying. Applications are due May 16, 2018. "The quick turnaround is deliberate, to get communities to work together and 'coalesce' around specific projects," Curry explains.