The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offered a grant in 2023 to assist communities in promoting construction of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in their communities. The City applied and was awarded a $10,000 grant. On Tuesday, November 28, 2023/6pm at the Fish House at Altoona City Park, contestants will present their proposals to the selection committee and winners will be awarded contest prizes. The public is welcome.
Competitors are asked to provide a cover application, along with a design with supporting documents, to the City and then present their materials to a selection committee during an open house hosted by the City. The submitted materials should include a description of their design, which addresses how their design will promote affordability and accessibility. Specifically, it should include a general floor plan, elevation drawings, and, if possible, a 3D rendering of the ADU from a source such as Revit. As part of their submitted materials, competitors will also be asked to prepare table presentation materials that the City can provide attendees with during the open house. The materials will inform the public about the ADU designs and assist the City in addressing residents' concerns about these new housing options. The citizen panel will rate each presentation, including their table materials, on the functionality, accessibility, general affordability, innovation of their ADU, and overall aesthetics. The citizen panel will select the top three designs and award the prizes. All the submitted materials will be shared by the City with AARP and made available for download to the public on a special website the City is creating for this event.
What is an ADU? Accessory Dwelling Unit or ADU, per City Ordinance, “means a dwelling unit with complete living facilities (e.g., sleeping area, kitchen, bathroom, egress) sharing the parcel of a larger, principal dwelling structure, is clearly accessory and subordinate to that principal dwelling, and has been designed or configured to be used as a separate, independent dwelling unit established by permit.” (City of Altoona Ordinance Section 19.61.040). The City currently has an ordinance that allows ADUs under certain circumstances.
Event Details:
What: Groups that submitted their designs will present their plans to a volunteer committee at this public open house. Afterward, the committee will select winners who will receive cash prizes for the top three designs as described below.
