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June 1 Deadline for NAHB/AARP Livable Communities Awards
 The June 1 deadline is fast approaching for NAHB and AARP’s new Livable Communities Awards recognizing builders, remodelers and developers for creative and unique homes and community projects that improve the daily comfort, ease and safety of their residents and highlight the critical elements needed for a livable community.
AARP CEO Bill Novelli announced the award during an address to the NAHB Board of Directors during February’s International Builders’ Show in Orlando, Fla.
“Whether you’re a toddler, a teen with a backpack, a dad cooking dinner or a great grandparent using a walker, insightful home and community design can greatly improve your day,” said Novelli. “We hope this award will give building professionals an incentive to explore and employ new design approaches.”
The award will be presented annually to the three professional groups for projects that incorporate such aspects as:
- Design elements that accommodate the needs of all residents with all levels of physical ability — from children through grandparents
- Easy access to community services and features such as retail, restaurants, medical, social and cultural activities, as well as viable transportation options
- Improved energy efficiency and enhanced site design
- Better communication with key stakeholders
The Livable Communities Awards will honor winners in each of the three industry sectors: builders, developers and remodelers. Sponsors will declare winners for both a large project and small project in each category. Size will define large and small builder and developer projects. Cost will determine remodelers’ categories.
NAHB and AARP seek applicants that reflect the full diversity of the home building industry: single-family and multifamily builders and remodelers, developers of large and small communities, for-profit and nonprofit, family-run and corporate entities. Winning projects must have been completed and opened or eligible for occupancy between Jan. 1, 2005 and June 1, 2007.
A panel of expert judges appointed by NAHB and AARP will review the applications and select the finalists. Judging criteria vary from category to category, but points will be awarded based on: universal design features; ease of maintenance and energy efficiency; exterior design and landscaping/site design; incorporation of livable community design features; and stakeholder involvement. Winners will be reviewed to determine that they are good corporate citizens and in full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations at the federal, state and local level.
Winners will be announced in the 2008 January-February issue of AARP The Magazine, the largest circulation magazine in America.
For More Information
For more information, click here; or e-mail Blake Smith at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8583.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole.
 Find Out What the 55+ Market Wants
“Boomers on the Horizon: Housing Preferences of the 55+ Market,” available through BuilderBooks.com, can help you better build and market homes to this age group.
Capitalize on the niches, needs and opportunities of this rapidly growing market by learning their preferences.
To view or purchase this publication online, click here, or call 800-223-2665.
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