Grants available for community livability projects

Spring is the season to spruce up our yards and homes – now we can spruce up our neighborhoods or towns by applying for an AARP Community Challenge grant.

AARP invites applications for quick-action projects that can help YOUR community become more livable. Applications are now being accepted for small grants to improve housing, transportation, public space and other community elements that support great places for all people of all ages.

The goal of these mini-grants are to fund quick projects in areas for transportation, public spaces or walking that can spark change and build momentum to make the community more livable for people of all ages.

Examples of winners from the 88 2017 winners included better signage at pedestrian crossing, adding chess tables and benches in a park or improving bus ridership. In Oregon, the grantees included

Eugene: SquareOne Villages | Housing Options
Funds were used for construction materials to complete an ADA-compliant tiny home in Emerald Village Eugene, an affordable housing community of 22 tiny houses.
Port Orford: Port Orford Street Revitalization Association | Walkability
Grant monies enabled the purchase and placement of benches that have attached planters, thus beautifying walking paths and providing pedestrians with a place to sit.

For more information or to apply, go to https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/about/info-2017/aarp-community-challenge.html.