Livable Communities

Three of the Bay State’s cities and a nonprofit received AARP 2019 Community Challenge grants.

TESTIMONY OF AARP

Three projects funded with Community Challenge grants have increased access to transportation, public spaces and affordable housing. The grants were announced last July as part of AARP’s Livable Communities initiative.

AARP is now accepting applications for the 2019 Community Challenge grant program to fund “quick-action” projects that spark change in local communities. The grant program, which is now in its third year, is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which aims to make communities great places to live for everyone.

By Michelle Cerulli McAdams

Boston —Today, AARP announced the awardees for its 2018 AARP Community Challenge grant program, including three recipients right here in Massachusetts.  A total of $1.3 million will be distributed to fund 129 “quick action” projects across the country, helping communities make immediate improvements and jumpstart long-term progress to support residents of all ages. Nearly 1,600 applications were received from non-profits and government entities for the program, now in its second year. Each of the projects, which must be completed by November 5, is designed to achieve on one or more of the following outcomes:

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the City of Boston's Commission on Affairs of the Elderly today launched their Age and Dementia-Friendly Business designation, a new pilot program that encourages local businesses to make their spaces and services more inclusive for people of all ages. Today's announcement was held at Local 338 Bagels and Coffee in West Roxbury, one of nine organizations that received the designation today, which includes certificates and decals to mark their business as Age and Dementia-Friendly.

 

Here in Massachusetts, we are working with local leaders, volunteers and others to help make our communities more livable and age-friendly. Governor Charlie Baker recently announced that Massachusetts has joined the network of AARP Age-Friendly States and the World Health Organization Global Network of Age Friendly Cities and Communities. AARP praised Governor Baker for his leadership on this issue of importance to Bay State residents of all ages. Massachusetts is only the second state in the nation to take such action after New York enrolled with AARP to become an age friendly state in 2017.