Washington, D.C. (October 27, 2015) — Housing America, NAHRO’s campaign that aims to raise national awareness of the need for and importance of safe, quality, affordable housing through education, advocacy, and empowerment, announced its 2016 “What Home Means to Me” poster contest and calendar winners at NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition in Los Angeles, Calif. on October 16.
“The poster contest is an amazing annual event that allows children who reside in affordable communities to share their ideas and feelings about the important mission of housing and community development agencies,” said Clifton Martin, Chair of the Housing America Task Force. “More importantly, their stories and artwork inspire those of us administering these programs to keep creating, designing and building safe and viable housing resources so these children can achieve their dreams.”
The national winners’ artwork will be featured in the 2016 “What Home Means to Me” calendar, which is shared with all members of Congress, local leaders and the NAHRO membership. Additionally, they will be awarded a $100 Visa gift card. The art of this year’s grand prize winner, Hanna, from the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority in Idaho, is featured on the cover. Hanna will receive an iPad and a framed copy of her poster. She and another person will also be provided with transportation to and lodging at NAHRO’s Washington Conference in April 2017, where they will also tour the Capitol.
This year, our blue-ribbon panel of judges consisted of Tim Lang of the Congressional Institute, Melanie Harper-Spears of the National Gallery of Art and Melanie Villalobos of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Calendars are available for ordering at www.nahro.org/calendar-order-form. Visit http://www.housingamericacampaign.org/what-home-means-to-me.html for entry rules and to view each winner’s artwork. Next year’s poster contest begins on April 1, 2017.
List of 2016 Winners and Their Statements
HANNA. 11
Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, Idaho "Home is a place of shelter and care; home is a place you’re always welcomed. Home is a life-long treasure; home is where the heart lives its measure."
NATALIE, 15
Central Texas Housing Consortium, Texas
"To me home isn’t just a building or shelter; to me home is where your family and loved-ones live, which makes your home complete. A home is not a home without the ones around who care for you the most."
CHASE, 8
Housing Authority of the County of Alameda, Calif.
"My mom, brother and I make my home. I go different places but I always come back to my home. I don’t know what I would do without my home and family."
ANH, 12
Oakland Housing Authority, Calif.
"Home is where I can crack up over a funny joke without anyone judging me on how I laugh. But mainly home is being around the people who can drive you crazy one moment and make you feel like a million dollars the next."
WILFREDO, 16
Penns Grove Housing Authority, N.J.
"My home to me is a place where I have become a young man. My family has Jesus Christ in their life and I have seen a change. It doesn’t matter how hard the struggle when you have God and faith everything is possible...that is “What Home Means to Me.”
YERLIAN, 7
Penns Grove Housing Authority, N.J.
"My home means everything to me. Having a home and living a good life together as one, as a family. That to me is a home, a place we can be free."
GRACIE, 7
Great Falls Housing Authority, Mont.
"Spending time with my family and having plants in my backyard. We all love each other."
TAZJIANNA, 11
Ypsilanti Housing Commission, Mich.
"When I walk in from a friend or family’s house, I think, fell and see love. I see family running up to hug me. I feel safe and secure. I know I’m home because I feel complete."
PAIGE, 16
Floyd County Housing Authority, Ky.
"Just like letting go of balloons, while I’m at home I can let go of my problems, worries, fears and stress. Home is where my heart is. My home is my safe haven."
NAUTICA, 13
Pembroke Housing, N.C.
"Home should be a comfortable place to stay. Home is for family, and even welcome friends. Most of all, my home is full of unconditional love towards everyone."
JASLYN, 13
Lincoln Housing Authority, R.I.
"...where you make your memories and where you feel safe. My favorite room in the house is my room. My second favorite place in the house is my living room because on Sundays we have dinner then we watch movies on the couch all cozy with hot cocoa. We fight a lot but I love my family with all my heart."
FELICIA, 10
Dedham Housing Authority, Mass.
"I have a bright future because I have a home. Some kids do not do well in school, some kids are sick a lot because they don’t have a home of their own. I am healthy, happy, smart, loved and safe in my home. My wish for 2016 is for every kid to have a home!"
BRIGHTON, 14
Lincoln Housing Authority, NE
"Home cannot be home for me if my family isn’t in it. That’s “What Home Means to Me.” It also means spending time with my family."
About NAHRO
NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO's membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.
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The national winners’ artwork will be featured in the 2016 “What Home Means to Me” calendar, which is shared with all members of Congress, local leaders and the NAHRO membership. Additionally, they will be awarded a $100 Visa gift card. The art of this year’s grand prize winner, Hanna, from the Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority in Idaho, is featured on the cover. Hanna will receive an iPad and a framed copy of her poster. She and another person will also be provided with transportation to and lodging at NAHRO’s Washington Conference in April 2017, where they will also tour the Capitol.
This year, our blue-ribbon panel of judges consisted of Tim Lang of the Congressional Institute, Melanie Harper-Spears of the National Gallery of Art and Melanie Villalobos of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Calendars are available for ordering at www.nahro.org/calendar-order-form. Visit http://www.housingamericacampaign.org/what-home-means-to-me.html for entry rules and to view each winner’s artwork. Next year’s poster contest begins on April 1, 2017.
List of 2016 Winners and Their Statements
HANNA. 11
Boise City/Ada County Housing Authority, Idaho "Home is a place of shelter and care; home is a place you’re always welcomed. Home is a life-long treasure; home is where the heart lives its measure."
NATALIE, 15
Central Texas Housing Consortium, Texas
"To me home isn’t just a building or shelter; to me home is where your family and loved-ones live, which makes your home complete. A home is not a home without the ones around who care for you the most."
CHASE, 8
Housing Authority of the County of Alameda, Calif.
"My mom, brother and I make my home. I go different places but I always come back to my home. I don’t know what I would do without my home and family."
ANH, 12
Oakland Housing Authority, Calif.
"Home is where I can crack up over a funny joke without anyone judging me on how I laugh. But mainly home is being around the people who can drive you crazy one moment and make you feel like a million dollars the next."
WILFREDO, 16
Penns Grove Housing Authority, N.J.
"My home to me is a place where I have become a young man. My family has Jesus Christ in their life and I have seen a change. It doesn’t matter how hard the struggle when you have God and faith everything is possible...that is “What Home Means to Me.”
YERLIAN, 7
Penns Grove Housing Authority, N.J.
"My home means everything to me. Having a home and living a good life together as one, as a family. That to me is a home, a place we can be free."
GRACIE, 7
Great Falls Housing Authority, Mont.
"Spending time with my family and having plants in my backyard. We all love each other."
TAZJIANNA, 11
Ypsilanti Housing Commission, Mich.
"When I walk in from a friend or family’s house, I think, fell and see love. I see family running up to hug me. I feel safe and secure. I know I’m home because I feel complete."
PAIGE, 16
Floyd County Housing Authority, Ky.
"Just like letting go of balloons, while I’m at home I can let go of my problems, worries, fears and stress. Home is where my heart is. My home is my safe haven."
NAUTICA, 13
Pembroke Housing, N.C.
"Home should be a comfortable place to stay. Home is for family, and even welcome friends. Most of all, my home is full of unconditional love towards everyone."
JASLYN, 13
Lincoln Housing Authority, R.I.
"...where you make your memories and where you feel safe. My favorite room in the house is my room. My second favorite place in the house is my living room because on Sundays we have dinner then we watch movies on the couch all cozy with hot cocoa. We fight a lot but I love my family with all my heart."
FELICIA, 10
Dedham Housing Authority, Mass.
"I have a bright future because I have a home. Some kids do not do well in school, some kids are sick a lot because they don’t have a home of their own. I am healthy, happy, smart, loved and safe in my home. My wish for 2016 is for every kid to have a home!"
BRIGHTON, 14
Lincoln Housing Authority, NE
"Home cannot be home for me if my family isn’t in it. That’s “What Home Means to Me.” It also means spending time with my family."
About NAHRO
NAHRO, established in 1933, is a membership organization of 20,000 housing and community development agencies and professionals throughout the United States whose mission is to create affordable housing and safe, viable communities that enhance the quality of life for all Americans, especially those of low- and moderate-income. NAHRO's membership administers more than 3 million housing units for 7.6 million people.
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