What Home Means To Me Poster Contest
Thank you to all keiki who submitted their entries for 2026-2027 “What Home Means to Me” Poster Contest, a national art competition sponsored by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO).
The contest is open to children living in affordable housing communities and housing programs. Participants are encouraged to create an original poster illustrating what “home” means to them — whether it represents family, culture, safety, or community.
“When keiki reflect on what home means to them, it reminds all of us why stable housing is so important,” said OHCD Housing Administrator Kehaulani Costa, who is also an at-large member of NAHRO’s Pacific Southwest Regional Council. “For many families, home is where they feel safe, supported, and connected to their community. This contest gives our keiki an opportunity to share their creativity and express what having a place to call home means in their lives.”
As the local representative for the contest, the OHCD will review submissions from Hawaiʻi Island participants and select winning posters to advance to the Pacific Southwest Regional competition. Regional winners will then move on to the national NAHRO contest, where entries from across the country are considered for national recognition.
Twelve national winners will ultimately be 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 artwork will also appear on the calendar cover, will receive a trip to NAHRO’s Washington, D.C., Conference to meet NAHRO members and visit their Congressional offices.
All Hawaiʻi Island artists ages 5-18 must reside in a household served by OHCD or receive housing-related services through one of its programs. The contest includes age categories (K-5, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12), allowing children and youth of different ages to participate.
There is no cost to enter the contest. Local winners will receive gift certificates and other prizes as determined by the judging panel.
Winning entries will also be proudly displayed in OHCD offices in Hilo and Kona, as well as on the OHCD website at www.housing.hawaiicounty.gov and our Instagram and Facebook pages @hicounty.officeofhousing.
The submission deadline of April 13, 2026, has now passed. OHCD is currently reviewing entries, and participants will be notified once judging is complete.
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