WASHINGTON — AARP’s national 2024 Home and Community Preferences Survey reveals that a strong majority of adults aged 50 and older (75%) wish to remain in their current homes as they age, and 73% hope to stay in their communities — significantly higher than younger adults aged 18-49 (60% and 63%, respectively) — but existing housing policies and community infrastructure are not keeping pace with this increasing need.

WASHINGTON—Today, AARP announced it is investing $3.8 million in 343 Community Challenge grants for quick-action projects to help communities become more livable. These grants will improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults ages 50 and older. With this year’s projects, AARP has invested $20.1 million through over 1,700 grants since 2017 to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the country.

More than half (60%) of veterans ages 45 and older are unaware that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers grant funding to modify their homes, according to a new AARP survey.

AARP launched the Veterans Home Modification Benefits Guide to help veterans and service members navigate the VA’s $150 million in funding to buy, build or modify a home to meet their long-term needs.

Beginning today through March 6, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern, AARP invites local eligible non-profit organizations and governments across the country to apply for the 2024 AARP Community Challenge grant program.

AARP’s Public Policy Institute announced the 100 top-scoring livable communities across the U.S., as part of the AARP Livability Index™ Top 100. However, the data shows that most of the highest scoring communities lack affordable housing and accessibility options, underscoring the need for local leaders to implement policies that address rising housing costs, insufficient supply of housing options, and growing income inequality