2026-2027 “What Home Means to Me” Contest & Application

ABOUT THE “WHAT HOME MEANS TO ME” CALENDAR

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. Every year, NAHRO compiles a calendar featuring

the posters of 12 children, which are distributed to NAHRO member agencies and Congress.

CONTEST OVERVIEW

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. NAHRO

does not accept national poster contest submissions directly from individuals, member agencies or state organizations.

Each of NAHRO’s eight regions manage their own submission and judging processes, selecting three posters (one from each age category) from local and/or state organization submissions.

The 24 regional winners are then judged by a national panel, and 12 national winners are

selected to be featured in NAHRO’s “What Home Means to Me” calendar for the following year.

All 12 national winners receive cash prizes. The grand prize winner, whose art is also featured

on the calendar cover, will also receive a trip to NAHRO’s Washington Conference to meet the

NAHRO membership and their Congressional offices.

Eligibility

All artists, age 5-18, must reside in a household, or be provided a housing-related service,

managed by a NAHRO member agency in good standing.

Poster Specifications — non-compliant posters will be disqualified

• Posters must represent the theme “What Home Means to Me"

• Posters must be at least 8.5 x 11in paper size (letter size). Larger posters will be

accepted, up to 22 x 28in.

• Posters must have a LANDSCAPE (HORIZONTAL) orientation. Posters in portrait

(vertical) orientation will be disqualified.

• Artists may use any art media (marker, crayon, paint, collage, textiles, etc.), but please

consider that posters will need to be packaged, mailed, and reproduced.

• The artist’s name, grade level, and housing agency must be written on the back of each

poster entry.

• Posters may only be created by one eligible artist.

Note: If selected, poster contest winners will be asked to provide a high-resolution headshot

photo (of the artist).