What Home Means to Me Poster Contest

Since 2008, the What Home Means to Me Poster Contest has recognized the amazing, poignant art of children who live in affordable housing across the country. Each piece of art visually shares the child’s thoughts on what their home means to them. Every year, hundreds of children, ages 5-18, participate in the contest at the state and regional level. Their heartfelt messages about their homes underscore the importance of the work that housers and community development professionals do.

The national poster contest is the culmination of numerous poster contests held by NAHRO member agencies, state organizations and regional councils across the United States. Artists submit entries to their housing agencies; agencies then forward entries to their state contest (if applicable) or their regional contest. States and regions manage their own submission and judging processes, which vary widely.

24 regional winners (eight regions; one winner from each age category) advance to the national contest. The entries are judged, and 12 national winners are selected to be featured in NAHRO’s “What Home Means to Me” calendar for the following year. The grand prize winner, whose art is also featured on the calendar cover, receives an iPad and a trip to NAHRO’s Washington Conference. The remaining 11 national winners receive cash prizes.

2027-28 Poster Contest

It’s never too early to start planning for next year! All poster contest entries start at either the state or regional level — only regional winners advance to the national contest.

contest rules & Details

Thank you to our 2026-2027 sponsors!

Champion Sponsor

Ally Sponsor

2027 Calendar Pre-Orders

NAHRO is now accepting pre-orders for the 2027 “What Home Means to Me” calendar, featuring art from the twelve 2026-27 national poster contest winners!

Price: $14.99 per calendar
Shipping: included with your order
Estimated Ship date: Mid-November 2026
Shipping Note: NAHRO ships via UPS, which requires a physical address. UPS cannot ship to a P.O. Box. When placing an order, please double check that you have provided a physical shipping address.

pre-order 2027 calendars

Questions? Please email [email protected].

2026-27 Contest Winners

Grand Prize Winner: Rylan, age 9 (Housing Authority of Madisonville, KY)

Cataleya, age 10
Port Huron Housing Commission
Michigan
Easton, age 10
County of Hawai’i Office of Housing & Community Development
Hawaii
Gabriel, age 17
Housing Administration of Puerto Rico
Jayzmin, age 17
Provo City Housing Authority
Utah
Joanelys, age 16
Waterbury Housing Authority
Connecticut
Khloe, age 15
Winder Housing Authority
Georgia
Layla, age 17
Boise City / Ada County Housing Authority
Idaho
Marlene, age 18
Mesilla Valley Public Housing Authority
New Mexico
Oriah, age 6
Aurora Housing Authority
Colorado
Paisley, age 7
Boise City / Ada County Housing Authority
Idaho
Shamara, age 16
Raise Up (Lorain Metro Housing Authority)
Ohio