Congratulations 2025-26 “What Home Means to Me” Poster Contest Winners
October 14, 2025 — On September 30, at the National Conference & Exhibition in Phoenix, AZ, NAHRO announced the twelve winners of the 2025-26 “What Home Means to Me” Poster Contest. Judged by a panel of housing and youth art leaders, the national poster contest is the culmination of numerous poster contests held by public housing agencies, states and regions across the United States. Each of the eight NAHRO regions submits three posters (one from each age group) to the national contest.
The 2025-26 grand prize winner is Rafael, age 14 from the Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz in California. His poster, pictured below, will be featured on the cover of the 2026 “What Home Means to Me” calendar, on sale now!
Please join us in congratulating Rafael as well as the additional eleven national contest winners!
- 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
NAHRO extends its heartfelt thanks to our 2025 panel of judges:
- Tess Hembree, Executive Director at Council of State Community Development Agencies
- Amy Moore, Executive Director at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (Washington DC).
- Jeanette Porter, Senior Manager at Yardi
- Jenny Werwa, Vice President of Strategic Communications & Public Affairs at Invariant
About the “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. Their heartfelt messages about their homes underscore the importance of the work that housers and community development professionals do.
The poster contest accepts submissions from children age 5-18 (Kindergarten through 12th grade), who reside in a household, or are provided a housing-related service, managed by a NAHRO member agency. Posters are judged at the state and regional level in three age groups: K-5th grade, 6-8th grade, and 9-12th grade.
24 regional winners — one from each age group from each of eight NAHRO regions — advance to the national contest. 11 of the national winners receive a $100 gift card and a copy of the calendar featuring their poster. The grand prize winner receives a copy of the calendar, as well as a framed copy of their poster and an iPad. The grand prize winner is also invited to NAHRO’s Washington Conference, to be honored in front of the NAHRO membership and to meet their Congressional representatives.
The resulting calendar features the 12 winning posters, one for each month. The grand prize poster is featured on the cover and in October, for Housing America Month. NAHRO sends a calendar to each member agencies as a member benefit, but also sends calendars to select HUD officials and all members of Congress, as a tangible reminder of the impact safe, stable housing has on our nation’s youth. Calendars are available for sale to the public, with proceeds benefiting the poster contest and other NAHRO youth initiatives.
About NAHRO
The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), established in 1933, is a membership organization of more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States. NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all. NAHRO members administer more than 3 million homes for more than 8 million people.