AARP Livable Communities: An Introduction

AARP Livable Communities Website: Our website is the entrance to a library of livability content and materials, including publications, articles, photo albums, and inspiring ideas and how-to’s for local leaders and community advocates

• Visit: AARP.org/Livable

AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities: The age-friendly network serves as a catalyst for local leaders (both elected officials and engaged residents) to implement the types of changes that make communities more livable for older adults and people of all ages. Learn which towns, cities, counties and states have enrolled. 

• Visit: AARP.org/AgeFriendly

AARP Community Challenge: Our annual grant program helps communities become more livable by providing funds for quick-action projects that make immediate, tangible improvements and jump-start long-term change. Subscribe to our newsletter (see the next item) and be among the first to know when the next application window opens.) 

• Visit: AARP.org/CommunityChallenge

AARP Livable Communities e-Newsletter: Created for community influencers — elected officials, local leaders, advocates, municipal staff, placemaking professionals and interested residents — our free weekly newsletter contains inspiring information about livability opportunities and efforts. 

• Subscribe: AARP.org/LivableSubscribe, or text LIVABLE to 50757

AARP Livability Index: An interactive online tool, the AARP Livability Index scores neighborhoods and communities across the United States based on the available services and amenities in seven broad categories: housing, neighborhood, transportation, environment, health, engagement, and opportunity. 

• Visit: AARP.org/LivabilityIndex

AARP Livable Communities Map

Use this interactive map to discover where and how AARP is helping communities become more livable and age-friendly so people of all ages can thrive — and make where they live and want to remain a lifelong home.

• Visit: AARP.org/LivableMap

AARP Technical Assistance: AARP partners with experts in housing, transportation, economic development, public spaces, community engagement and more to serve as advisors and provide specialized assistance to local governments and community organizations. 

• Email: Livable@AARP.org

AARP Bike Audit Tool Kit (Available in English and Spanish)

• AARP.org/BikeAudit

AARP Disaster Resilience Tool Kit (Available in English and Spanish)

• AARP.org/DisasterResilience

AARP HomeFit Guide (Available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese)

• AARP.org/HomeFit

AARP Pop-Up Placemaking Tool Kit

• AARP.org/LivablePopUp

AARP Rural Livability Workshop Report

• AARP.org/RuralLivability

AARP Walk Audit Tool Kit (Available in English and Spanish)

• AARP.org/WalkAudit

Enabling Better Places: A Handbook for Improved Neighborhoods

• AARP.org/Zoning

Creating Community Gardens for People of All Ages

• AARP.org/CommunityGardens

Creating Parks and Public Spaces for People of All Ages

• AARP.org/LivableParks

Discovering and Developing Missing Middle Housing

• AARP.org/MissingMiddleHousing

Making Room: Housing for a Changing America

• AARP.org/MakingRoom

The ABCs of ADUs

• AARP.org/ADUs

AARP Housing Design Competition Tool Kit

• AARP.org/HousingDesign

_{Page updated February 2025}