Quad City Area REALTORS® Launch ADU Design Contest with AARP Grant Support

Quad City Area REALTORS® Launch ADU Design Contest with AARP Grant Support

Design Competition Aims to Raise Awareness, Inspire Policy Change, and Promote Housing Solutions Across Iowa and Illinois
Bettendorf, Iowa – The Quad City Area REALTORS® (QCAR) is proud to announce the launch of its Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Design Contest, supported by the 2025 AARP Community Challenge Grant. QCAR is one of only seven Iowa-based organizations selected for this national grant program, which funds quick-action projects that improve livability for people of all ages.
This contest invites students and industry professionals to submit innovative, accessible, and practical designs for an Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)—compact, self-contained residential units that share a lot with a larger primary home. Top entries will receive cash prizes and be featured on QCAR’s website for public use and inspiration.
“This project is about more than great design—it’s about creating awareness and advancing solutions that address housing affordability, accessibility, and multigenerational living in our region,” said Sharon Smith, CEO at QCAR.

Why ADUs, and Why Now?

ADUs are gaining momentum nationwide as flexible, cost-effective housing options that support aging in place, family care, and rental income. Recent legislative changes in both Iowa and Illinois are paving the way for more widespread adoption:

• Iowa Senate File 592, effective July 1, 2025, mandates that every city and county allow at least one ADU per single-family lot.
• In Illinois, municipalities like Chicago have lifted previous ADU bans and launched pilot programs to reintegrate ADUs into existing neighborhoods.

While policy is changing, public awareness and accessible design tools are still lacking—especially in smaller communities. This contest aims to close that gap.

Contest Details

Participants may enter one of two categories:

• Student Category: Open to currently enrolled students
• Professional Category: Open to industry professionals not currently enrolled in school

Entries are limited to students and professionals within the Greater Quad City IA or IL region.
Cash Prizes in Each Category:

Student Category	Prize Amount	Professional Category	Prize Amount
1st Place	$2,500	1st Place	$4,000
2nd Place	$1,000	2nd Place	$2,000
3rd Place	$750	3rd Place	$1,000

The top six entries in each category will be publicly recognized, with designs published on www.QCAR.Realtor and made available for free public download—helping homeowners and local officials visualize and pursue real-world ADU development.

Key Dates

• Submission Deadline: September 30, 2025
• Winners Announced: October 22, 2025, during a public awards ceremony

Designs will be judged by a panel of housing and design professionals using weighted criteria including universal design (50%), construction efficiency (20%), contextual fit (20%), and presentation clarity (10%).

About Quad City Area REALTORS®

QCAR represents over 700 real estate professionals in the Quad Cities region. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, QCAR promotes sustainable development, homeownership, and inclusive housing solutions.

About the AARP Community Challenge

The AARP Community Challenge is a nationwide grant program that funds innovative, community-based projects that improve quality of life for people of all ages. Projects focus on housing, transportation, public spaces, and civic engagement.
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