What Home Means to Me

Affordable Housing Calendar Contest

By Erica Rascón on Oct 11, 2021 in News

What does home mean to you? For many of us in the housing industry, we are consumed with the details of the structure and its operations. We perfect safety codes, smooth workflows, and stellar marketing. But at the end of the day, we specialize in homes, the very backbone of America.

The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) recently announced the winner of the What Home Means to Me poster contest. The contest is a brilliant reminder of the necessity of affordable housing and the role it plays in wellbeing of the nation’s youth.

Sharing stories for nearly 20 years

Founded in 2008, the What Home Means to Mecontest celebrates children’s stories and creativity. The contest is open to children ages 5-18 who are living in affordable housing developments. Participants submit artwork accompanied by messages about their homes and the impact of housing professionals and community development officials.

Each housing authority holds the initial round of evaluations, followed by eliminations at the state and regional levels. The winning submissions are then evaluated in Washington, D.C. before a panel of three judges. The judges choose 13 winners to receive a $100 Visa gift card and features in the 2022 What Home Means to Me Calendar. Calendar sales contribute to the jackpot for the next years’ contest winners.

The grand prize winner also receives a framed copy of their artwork, an iPad and a trip to the NAHRO Washington Conference where they are publicly recognized. When feasible, they are also able to meet their Congressional representatives.

Congrats, Hector!

This year’s winner is Hector from Puerto Rico. He writes: “My home means…more than a building. It means everything I do, I feel, I learn and my hobbies.”

He continues, “My family is my home. They’re who taught me since I was a baby how to speak, eat, walk, study and my daily routine. They give me support, care and security everyday. They taught me to love and to have other feelings.”

Click here to view a record of winning artwork.

Creating home with NAHRO

Yardi is a proud sponsor of NAHRO. Since 1933, the organization has supported affordable housing, its infrastructure and legislation. The organization is currently composed of 19,500 members that serve more than 3 million homes and 8 million residents.

Yardi is Energized for Good! Click here to read more of our heartwarming stories of community involvement.