NAHRO
Programs
Each year OK NAHRO honors the work and dedication of their members! OK NAHRO recognizes the achievements, innovation and outstanding efforts of its member agencies and non-profit organizations through our Awards and Scholarship programs; to provide additional opportunities to inform the public of the best in housing and community development; and to create a place to call home!
Scholarships
OK NAHRO Scholarship Program provides scholarship opportunities to families that reside in, work with, or who otherwise receive housing benefits from one of the member agencies.
AWARDS COMPETITION
In all categories, a fully completed official Award Entry Form must accompany submissions. Submissions unaccompanied by a properly completed official Award Entry Form or not meeting the requirements of the category entered will not be considered. Submissions which fail to meet membership requirements will not be considered. Submitting agencies must be current members of Oklahoma NAHRO or an individual associated with such an agency.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 14, 2025
AWARD CATEGORIES AND DESCRIPTIONS
Member of the Year Nomination
Member of the Year is open by nomination to recognize an agency member who has made an outstanding contribution to the Housing or Community Development field on the local or state level. Recipients of this award will also be honored at the Annual Southwest NAHRO Regional Conference by escort the Oklahoma State Flag in along with the State President and the Commissioner of the Year recipient at the Opening Ceremony. Applications due February 14, 2025
​
Commissioner of the Year Nomination
Commissioner of the Year is open by nomination to recognize a Commissioner who has made an outstanding contribution to the Housing or Community Development field on the local or state level. Recipients of this award will also be honored at the Annual Southwest NAHRO Regional Conference by escort the Oklahoma State Flag in along with the State President and the Member of the Year recipient at the Opening Ceremony. Applications due February 14, 2025
​
Required: Furnish a narrative with no more than 2 pages of why this individual should be chosen as OK NAHRO Member of the Year or Commissioner of the Year.
​​
​​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Agency of the Year
Meritorious accomplishment by a housing agency, community development department/agency This award seeks to honor agencies for specific accomplishments or contributions to housing and community development. Applications due in the summer.
Horses Aft Award
The “Horse’s Aft” is presented annually to an individual or group who during the past year (or recent years) has committed (or been the victim of) a blunder, miscue, or series of blunders or miscues related to our professions and programs. Nominations (brief, informal and SECRET) recounting the incident(s) must be sent . Applications due in the summer.
Please note all awards submitted will be automatically forwarded to Southwest NAHRO awards completion.
Scholarship Program
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 14, 2025
The Oklahoma Chapter of NAHRO is pleased to announce a (1) year, $1,000 scholarship for members of households assisted under the Public Housing or Section 8 Housing programs; members of families who have received housing assistance from a qualified Community Development Agency; or children of employees of a Housing Authority or Community Development Authority. The scholarship is established for current high school seniors or students presently enrolled in an accredited college, university, or vocational training school.
​
The scholarship is payable directly to any accredited college, university, or vocational training school. It is also annually renewable, based upon updated recipient information and the Chapter’s financial status. The fund is payable at $500 per semester with verification of the recipient’s full-time enrollment and continued academic achievement (minimum of 2.5 cumulative grade point average).
​
All graduating seniors or students presently enrolled in an accredited college, university, or vocational training school of a OK NAHRO member agency are encouraged to apply for a Scholarship.
​
​
TO APPLY
The scholarship recipient will be selected based upon an evaluation of the application, transcripts, letters of recommendation, written essay, and community involvement.
Applicants MUST meet the following eligibility requirements:
-
The applicant must be a household member of a family currently receiving assistance under the Public Housing or Section 8 Housing program; OR the applicant must be a household member of a family which is currently receiving or has received housing assistance from a Community Development Agency within the previous twelve (12) months; OR the applicant must be a child of a paid employee on non-probationary status of a Housing Authority or Community Development Agency. Applicants must be nominated by a member in good standing of the Oklahoma Chapter of NAHRO.
-
The applicant must have maintained a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) through the first semester of his/her senior year of high school or his/her previous semester of enrollment at an accredited college, university, or vocational training school.
-
The student must maintain full-time (a minimum of 12 hours per semester or equivalent full-time status) enrollment status in an undergraduate program at an accredited college, university, or vocational training school.
​
Students must complete the online application form and must attach any required information.
Applications are not complete and will not be considered unless the following information has been attached:
-
Official high school transcript or previous year college, university, or vocational training school transcript.
-
SAT and/or ACT score report or College Assessment Test score report.
-
Two (2) letters of recommendation from community/civic leaders.
-
An essay of 1000 words or less explaining the reason the applicant wishes to pursue a college degree or vocational training school degree.
​​​​
Before starting the online application you will need to download the agency certification form. Please have the Executive Director/CEO of the agency fill out this form. There is a place on the online application for you to attach the completed form.​
​
​
Poster Contest
Submissions are Closed
Housing America Campaign
​
About Housing America Campaign
In 2007, NAHRO created the Housing America campaign to raise national awareness about the critical role that affordable housing programs play in building and sustaining healthy communities nationwide.
​
“What Home Means to Me” Poster Contest
NAHRO holds an annual national poster contest for youth who live in affordable housing owned or administered by NAHRO member agencies. Each piece of art shares the children’s thoughts on the theme of “What Home Means to Me.” Hundreds of beautiful posters from children across the nation are entered in local, state and regional competitions. A panel of judges selects 12 winners and one grand prize winner, who is awarded a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet his or her elected representatives. The winning posters are collected in the Housing America calendar, a year-long reminder of importance of safe, decent and affordable housing to children and families nationwide.