AARP launches 2 design contests for elderly housing

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Two award competitions during the Future of Housing Summit, a new initiative designed to find innovative solutions for the housing problem that people are experiencing across the United States, were announced Tuesday, December 8 by AARP and AARP Foundation.

The competitions address America’s housing affordability and accessibility needs, particularly for people 50-plus, over the next few decades.

AARP, AARP Foundation, Home Matters®  and Wells Fargo Housing Foundation unveiled a new nationwide design challenge entitled Re-defining Home: Home Today, Home Tomorrow. The competition challenges architects to address the future housing needs for millions of Americans — growing-in-place.

In addition, AARP Foundation Prize is expanding to include the 2016 Aging in Place $50k  Challenge for startups which will award $50,000 to an innovative startup developing solutions that can help low-income individuals 50-plus continue living safely, independently and comfortably in their homes.

“We know that the vast majority of people want to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible,” said Lisa Marsh Ryerson, AARP Foundation president. “More than 19 million low-income 50-plus households struggle with unaffordable or inadequate housing and inadequate housing and we must act now to implement innovative housing solutions.  These design competitions, with broad outreach, including startups and architects, fuel solutions that will help address our nation’s housing needs.”

The Re-defining Home: Home Today, Home Tomorrow contest challenges architects to create new standards in housing design so people can stay in their home throughout a variety of life stages. The goal of the design challenge is to generate universal design elements and build an attractive, adaptable and affordable home of the future that speaks to and showcases livability, by promoting both aesthetically- and functionally appealing designs for better living.

Monetary awards will be given to three juried winning entries. More, the first place, winning design will be incorporated into a real-life home and publically unveiled to provide an experiential learning opportunity for the general public.  The Home will also be offered to a growing family. Architects and designers can register today at homemattersamerica.com/design/2016challenge and submissions will open on January 20^th.

For the 2016 Aging in Place $50K Challenge, AARP Foundation is soliciting proposals from startups developing solutions that can help low-income individuals 50-plus continue living safely, independently and comfortably in functional and affordable homes as they age. Applications are being accepted through May 2, 2016 and the winner will be announced in July 2016.

Entrepreneurs can visit aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/aarp-foundation-prize to complete the application.

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