Membership

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 contest is the culmination of numerous poster contests held by housing agencies, states and regions all across the United States. Three judges choose 12 winners from the regional entries to be featured in NAHRO’s “What Home Means to Me” calendar for the following year.

All national winners receive cash prizes. The grand prize winner, whose art is featured on the calendar cover, will also receive an iPad and a trip to NAHRO’s Washington Conference to meet our membership and their Congressional representatives.

2026-27 Poster Contest

The 2025-26 Poster Contest is closed for submissions. States and regions will begin accepting 2026-27 contest submissions in January!

contest rules & Details

Calendar Sales

NAHRO is currently accepting orders for the 2026 “What Home Means to Me” calendar, which features art from the twelve 2025-26 national poster contest winners!

Price: $14.99 each (includes shipping)

order a calendar

Note: NAHRO is closed December 25, 2025 – January 4, 2026. Orders placed over the holidays will be fulfilled when we return on January 5.

2025-26 Contest Winners

Grand Prize Winner: Rafael, age 14 (Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz, CA)
Adriana, Age 9
Jamal, Age 11
Jordan, Age 15
Kevian, Age 14
Maryam, Age 17
Melisxya, Age 5
Mia, Age 12
Naxiya, 12
Nigel, Age 10
Taraji, Age 13
Zander, Age 12
  • Adriana, age 9
    Housing Administration of Puerto Rico
    Middle Atlantic Region
  • Jamal, age 11
    Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Virginia
    Southeastern Region
  • Jordan, age 15
    Winnebago County Housing Authority, Illinois
    North Central Region
  • Kevian, age 14
    Housing Authority of the City of Aurora, Colorado
    Mountain Plains Region
  • Maryam, age 17
    Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities, Idaho
    Pacific Northwest Region
  • Melisxya, age 5
    Housing Authority of the City of Bristol, Connecticut New England Region
  • Mia, age 12
    Housing Administration of Puerto Rico
    Middle Atlantic Region
  • Naxiya, age 12
    Housing Authority of the City of Bristol, Connecticut
    New England Region
  • Nigel, age 10
    Port Huron Housing Commission, Michigan
    North Central Region
  • Taraji, age 13
    Opportunity Home, San Antonio, Texas
    Southwest Region
  • Zander, age 12
    Cumberland Plateau Regional Housing Authority, Virginia
    Southeastern Region

Previous Winners

2024-25 Contest Winners

Grand Prize Winner: Adriana, age 11 (Tennessee Valley Housing Services)
Yathziri, age 11 (TX)
Melody, age 9 (TX)
Halo, age 14 (AZ)
Katelyn, age 10 (CA)
Stella, age 18 (ID)
Serenity, age 12 (CT)
Sanita, age 11 (MA)
Aleiny, age 14 (OH)
Lola, age 9 (MI)
Angel, age 16 (CO)
Akayla, age 14 (NJ)

2023-24 Contest Winners

2022-23 Contest Winners

2021-22 Contest Winners

2020-21 Contest Winners

2019-20 Contest Winners