What Makes a House a Home Calendar Contest

Overview

Idaho Housing and Finance has created a scholarship opportunity for children who live in income-based housing or who participate in housing programs. Idaho youth in elementary school, middle school and high school are asked to submit an illustration and a description of "What Makes a House a Home". After the drawings are reviewed, one winner in each age category receives a $1,000 IDeal Scholarship sponsored by Idaho Housing Foundation.

All entries submitted are entered into a random drawing for an iPad.

The gallery below displays the age group winners and finalists from the 2025 Calendar Contest.

“What makes a home is not just by coming home to a room with furniture. What makes a home is being able to come home to the people you feel comfort with. Where you feel comfortable to show emotions such as anger, happiness, sadness, stress, anxiety, because it’s a very special connection that you can’t really find outside a home. Walking inside a house is different from walking inside what you call home.”

Jaira, 10th grade

"What makes a house a home is your family in it and a comfy bed to lay in. The last thing is all your special things inside the house with you."

Victoria, 5th grade

"Love makes a house a home. I love my family and my home."

Konnor, 5th grade

"I know what makes a house a home is my family. Dad, who pays for the roof over our heads and teaches us to be respectful. Mom, who loves us and makes sure the house is in order. Younger siblings, who are fun to play with. Me, the eldest, who is there to help while learning to become the person God wants her to be. Everyone must do their part to make a house a home."

Aurowyn, 4th grade

"The people inside it. Pets. Stuffies."

Analee, 3rd grade

"Kitties make a house a home. I love my kitty Jonathan!"

Olivia, 7th grade

"A house becomes a home when it’s filled with love, laughter and even tears that you share with people you love and who love you unconditionally."

Hailey, 6th grade, MIDDLE SCHOOL WINNER

"Home is where you feel most yourself, where you can be messy, joyful, quiet, or loud."

Harmonie, 6th grade

"A family is made of love, kindness, and respect to have someone to have to listen and to learn from and make happy memories. Home is where my family is at."

Xavian, 3rd grade, K-5 WINNER

"Something that makes a house a home is a place where you have emotional bondings and connections with one another and being able to understand each other. Not just by structure, by laughing memories, comfort and happiness all throughout."

Cataleya, 7th grade

"A home is a sense of safety, warmth, and belonging that welcomes you in and lets you exhale."

Natalie, 10th grade

"I think what makes a house a home is being together in family and being in communication at all times and love each other and be confident in our parents."

Joana, 2nd grade

"What makes a house a home is food and family because family brings comfort and a safe place to be and food brings us all together to talk and spend time."

Eva, 11th grade, HIGH SCHOOL WINNER

"Home is a safe place to be, where you are accepted for who you are, and where people help you to be better. Home is your lighthouse in the dark, lonely night."

Tanis, 8th grade

If you are interested in participating in the 2026 Calendar Contest, contest details are listed below:

Date: October 2026

Eligibility

All children Kindergarten through 12^th grade living in income-based housing or participating in subsidized housing programs.

Age Categories

Elementary: K-5th grade
Middle School: 6-8th grade
High School: 9-12th grade

Prizes

All entries will be entered in a drawing for an iPad
12-14 drawings will be featured in the calendar
An IDEAL scholarship will be awarded to one winner in each age category:

Elementary: $1,000
Middle School: $1,000
High School: $1,000

Rules

Theme: What makes a house a home
One entry per eligible child in the household.
Designs must be landscape/horizontal
Size: Use template provided
Contestant must draw and color a picture of a home and write a description of, "what makes a house a home".
Contestant's name must be written on the template
Complete the application