What Makes a House a Home | 2022 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 funded by the Home Partnership 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 2023 Calendar Contest.

“A house becomes a home when you feel loved in the house. Your belongings, family, and dreams all reside in your home.”

Alec, 12th grade, High School Winner

"Family and who lives in it"

Fatima, 11th grade

"What can make a house a home is animals. I think it can be that important because they put love and joy in your life."

Olivia, 5th grade

"Homes are a place that memories are made and make you feel comfortable and protected"

Brayan, 8th grade, Middle School Winner

"It is the warmth you get when you lay down on a couch. The loving and welcoming feeling you get when you walk through the door. And a smile you get every time."

Vivian, 5th grade

" Love and family makes a home! As long as you’re together you can make anywhere a home."

Eva, 6th grade

"When you move into a new house and you are one week in you start to remember your old house and you think, I grew up in that house but I can start a new life."

Emmett, 3rd grade

"What makes my house a home is when you come back to your house and see all of the things in your house or simply pulling up in your driveway. Also just enjoying the sweet relief of being back home after a long journey. That is what a house feels like, paradise."

Peace, 8th grade

"My family is where we make memories and feeling comfortable like a place you belong and to be at peace."

Rylee, 1st grade, K-5 Winner

"What makes a house a home is a warm and safe place, you don’t have to have a nice house to consider it a home. It can be a teepee like Native Americans, trailer, R.V., or even a school bus. You live off the land, you don’t have to stay in one place. Like the Native Americans, they made their house/teepee feel like a home by having family and friends with them under the stars."

Character, 7th grade

"It’s not just the house or how it looks but the people who call it home and what their home means to them. A home to others may just be a house but every home has its own story like a book, a book that never ends. That’s what makes a house a home."

Trenton, 7th grade

"What makes a house a home is to have a loving family. Good and healthy food. Last but not least to have a roof over your head and warmth with nice and happy brothers and sisters."

Jaxsen, 6th grade

"What makes a house a home is a healthy and loving family that support each other. Another thing that makes a house a home is everybody bonds together and we enjoy activities together and sit together at the dinner table and are there to hear each other out."

Jaretssi, 3rd grade

"I feel safe at home with my family. I feel happy at home with friends and family."

Konnur, 10th grade

If you are interested in participating in the 2024 Calendar Contest , contest details are listed below:

SUBMIT an application here

Date: Fall 2024

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