Washington, D.C. (November 1, 2016) – Housing America announced the 2017 “What Home Means to Me’ poster contest and calendar winners at NAHRO’s National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, La. on October 16.
“The annual poster contest is a remarkable event that gives children who reside in affordable communities an opportunity to share how housing is not only important, but also the significance of what having a home means to them,” said Clifton Martin, Chair of the Housing America Task Force. “More importantly, their narratives and artwork encourage those of us administering these programs to keep generating, designing, and constructing safe and sustainable housing resources so these children can succeed their dreams and more.”
“The annual poster contest is a remarkable event that gives children who reside in affordable communities an opportunity to share how housing is not only important, but also the significance of what having a home means to them,” said Clifton Martin, Chair of the Housing America Task Force. “More importantly, their narratives and artwork encourage those of us administering these programs to keep generating, designing, and constructing safe and sustainable housing resources so these children can succeed their dreams and more.”
The national winners’ artwork will be featured in the 2017 “What Home Means to Me” calendar, which is given to all members of Congress, local leaders and NAHRO membership. Additionally, they will be awarded a $100 Visa gift card. The art of this year’s grand prize winner, Felicia, from Dedham Housing Authority in Mass., is featured on the cover of the calendar. Felicia will receive and iPad and a framed copy of her poster. She and another person of her choice will also attend NARHO’s 2017 Washington Conference and tour the Capitol.
This year, our blue-ribbon panel of judges consisted of Emily Cadik of Enterprise Community Partners, Laura Lee Burkett U.S. Representative of Steven Palazzo’s office, Denise Harlow of Community Action Partnership, and Sylvia Zwi of Sitar Arts Center.
Calendars are available for ordering by clicking here. Visit here for for entry rules and to view each winner’s artwork. Next year’s poster contest begins on January 1, 2017.
List of 2017 Winners and Their Statements
Felicia, 11 (grand prize)
Dedham Housing Authority, Mass.
“Home is where my heart is, but it is also where my brain is! In my neighborhood we have a free Little Library. I can go to the library any time I want and get a book because it is right down the walkway! I can read the books in my home and feel like I’m on an adventure. I can learn new things that can help people, or save the world!”
Josephine, 15
Bayonne Housing Authority, N.J.
“Home is love that you can’t find anywhere else. If you have a problem, your home comforts you, and takes you into its arms to receive a warm hug... Home is not just a place you live, but it is a place that lives inside you.”
Zayveyon, 15
Housing Authority of the City of Douglas, Ga.
“On my poster I drew a fairly big house. I colored it red because red is a very energetic color, and I think it describes me very well. The quote on the left (Home isn’t just where I live. It’s a place where after a long rough day I feel that I can be myself and feel at peace.) I came up with myself, and it relates to my life.”
Kassandra, 11
Cameron County Housing Authority, TX.
“To me, home means love, because your loved ones live there with you and they show you how much they love and care about you... I love my home and I am grateful for it!”
DeSire, 7
West Point Housing Authority, Miss.
“A home to me means love, family, and laughing.”
Ahn Duc, 13
Oakland Housing Authority, Calif.
“Home is the many places in life we take for granted... Home is also where you can chat with family; it is one of life’s wonders that only a home can give. A home can offer us protection, relaxation, and just the overall love of a family.”
Vivian, 14
Grand Junction Housing Authority, Colo.
“Home is created by love, family, respect, and appreciation. Home is connection, memories, and integrity... Home is your own reality... In my home everyone is equal, happy, and loved.”
Sky, 17
Ypsilanti Housing Commission, Mich.
“To me, home is a stable feeling of comfort with the people and environment that you’re in. Home isn’t about the actual structure that you live in. It has more to do with friends, family, or people in general that make you comfortable, and makes you feel at ease with your surroundings.”
Gabriel, 8
Fargo Housing and Development Authority, N.D.
“I love having a home to go to every night when I have a hard day. Having a home helps families grow because it gives us a place to sleep at night, food on the table, heat, and a place to create memories.”
TazJianna, 11
Ypsilanti Housing Commission, Mich.
“Home is like a chain that no evil can break. It’s where my creativity started; where I was raised and loved. Home is like a dream you never wake up from.”
Kristal, 13
Housing Authority of Yamhill County, Ore.
“This poster is what home means to me, because it shows my whole family doing what they like. For instance playing soccer, walking outside, and my little baby brother that was just born.”
Ian, 5
Nampa Housing Authority, ID.
“Home means having a house to live in with my family. Home means being safe.”
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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This year, our blue-ribbon panel of judges consisted of Emily Cadik of Enterprise Community Partners, Laura Lee Burkett U.S. Representative of Steven Palazzo’s office, Denise Harlow of Community Action Partnership, and Sylvia Zwi of Sitar Arts Center.
Calendars are available for ordering by clicking here. Visit here for for entry rules and to view each winner’s artwork. Next year’s poster contest begins on January 1, 2017.
List of 2017 Winners and Their Statements
Felicia, 11 (grand prize)
Dedham Housing Authority, Mass.
“Home is where my heart is, but it is also where my brain is! In my neighborhood we have a free Little Library. I can go to the library any time I want and get a book because it is right down the walkway! I can read the books in my home and feel like I’m on an adventure. I can learn new things that can help people, or save the world!”
Josephine, 15
Bayonne Housing Authority, N.J.
“Home is love that you can’t find anywhere else. If you have a problem, your home comforts you, and takes you into its arms to receive a warm hug... Home is not just a place you live, but it is a place that lives inside you.”
Zayveyon, 15
Housing Authority of the City of Douglas, Ga.
“On my poster I drew a fairly big house. I colored it red because red is a very energetic color, and I think it describes me very well. The quote on the left (Home isn’t just where I live. It’s a place where after a long rough day I feel that I can be myself and feel at peace.) I came up with myself, and it relates to my life.”
Kassandra, 11
Cameron County Housing Authority, TX.
“To me, home means love, because your loved ones live there with you and they show you how much they love and care about you... I love my home and I am grateful for it!”
DeSire, 7
West Point Housing Authority, Miss.
“A home to me means love, family, and laughing.”
Ahn Duc, 13
Oakland Housing Authority, Calif.
“Home is the many places in life we take for granted... Home is also where you can chat with family; it is one of life’s wonders that only a home can give. A home can offer us protection, relaxation, and just the overall love of a family.”
Vivian, 14
Grand Junction Housing Authority, Colo.
“Home is created by love, family, respect, and appreciation. Home is connection, memories, and integrity... Home is your own reality... In my home everyone is equal, happy, and loved.”
Sky, 17
Ypsilanti Housing Commission, Mich.
“To me, home is a stable feeling of comfort with the people and environment that you’re in. Home isn’t about the actual structure that you live in. It has more to do with friends, family, or people in general that make you comfortable, and makes you feel at ease with your surroundings.”
Gabriel, 8
Fargo Housing and Development Authority, N.D.
“I love having a home to go to every night when I have a hard day. Having a home helps families grow because it gives us a place to sleep at night, food on the table, heat, and a place to create memories.”
TazJianna, 11
Ypsilanti Housing Commission, Mich.
“Home is like a chain that no evil can break. It’s where my creativity started; where I was raised and loved. Home is like a dream you never wake up from.”
Kristal, 13
Housing Authority of Yamhill County, Ore.
“This poster is what home means to me, because it shows my whole family doing what they like. For instance playing soccer, walking outside, and my little baby brother that was just born.”
Ian, 5
Nampa Housing Authority, ID.
“Home means having a house to live in with my family. Home means being safe.”
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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