Housing Diversity Corporation - Apartment Decorating Photo Contest Official Rules and Guidelines - 2025

READ ALL DETAILS CAREFULLY. 

All submissions must follow these rules to be eligible.

CONTEST OVERVIEW

Sponsor: Housing Diversity Corporation 

Eligibility: Current residents of HDC properties (10 Seattle properties) with accounts in good standing 

Contest Period: December 12, 2025, through January 16, 2026, at 11:59 PM PST 

Winners Notified: January 28, 2026 via email. 

Submission Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDqIlFY7f3qGtmBlAx8ISwVvkb5u-q0L-NPxbKREwex-42Og/viewform?usp=dialog

PRIZES 

  • 1st Place: $500 e-gift card 
  • 2nd Place: $350 e-gift card
  •  3rd Place: $150 e-gift card 
  • Runner-Up Recognition (at the CEO’s discretion): Up to 5 additional participants may receive $100 compensation for photography participation 

Prize Distribution: Winners and runners-up receive e-gift cards via email. Prizes are sent within two business days after completing the professional photography session.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 

To enter and win, participants must: 

  • Be a current resident of a Housing Diversity Corporation property. 
  • Be at least 18 years of age. 
  • Have accounts in good standing (verified by the property manager for winners only after selection).
  • Maintain good standing through the prize distribution date. 

Ineligible Participants:

  • Property management staff and their immediate family members 
  • HDC employees and their immediate family members 

Note: Only one submission per apartment unit. Roommates must collaborate on a single entry.

Residency & Account Verification: The property manager will confirm residency and verify accounts are in good standing (rent and utilities current) after winners are selected.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Photo Requirements
Number of Photos: 3-5 photos required (Minimum: 3, Maximum: 5) Photo Specifications: Format: JPEG (JPG) only – PNG and other formats will NOT be accepted. Content: Interior spaces only – no balconies, patios, or exterior views. Recency: Photos must be taken within 60 days of submission. Quality: Clear, well-lit photos that accurately show spaces. Composition: Take straight-on shots (camera parallel to walls when possible).

Editing Policy
Allowed: Light editing (brightness, contrast, exposure adjustment only). NOT Allowed: Filters, heavy color grading, warping, object removal, or additions. Photos should accurately represent your actual living space.

What to Show (Examples)
Overall room views showing furniture arrangement and design. Creative storage solutions or space-saving approaches. Decorative elements and personal style (artwork, textiles, plants, collections). Functional use of space (work areas, dining areas, sleeping areas). Clean, tidy spaces (hide clutter, cords, and close toilet lids). Pets are encouraged in photos! Cultural elements or personal touches that make the space uniquely yours.

Required Submission Information
All entries must include: Full Name (First and Last), Email Address, Phone Number, Property Name, Unit Number, Number of People in Household, Pets – Type and name (e.g., “Cat, Mochi” or “No”). Photo Descriptions – Brief description required for each photo submitted (up to 5 images). Optional: Additional context about your decorating inspiration, design philosophy, or how you approach small space living.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

Online Form Submit through the official form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1mo4fSPU6VVb_imupSc_3JvfQTRvzRvzUUbrLOLzkFpQ/prefill

JUDGING CRITERIA
Submissions will be evaluated by a judging panel using the following criteria.

Each category is weighted equally at 25%:

  1. Creativity (25%), Innovative design solutions, Unique furniture arrangements, Personal style expression, and Original decorating approaches.
  2. Use of Space (25%) Effective space optimization, Functional furniture placement, Storage solutions, Traffic flow, and livability
  3. Design & Decor (25%) Color coordination Style cohesion Decorative element choices Quality of furnishings and accessories
  4. Overall Aesthetic (25%) Visual appeal Photography quality Atmosphere and ambiance Polish and presentation
  5. Judging Panel: HDC Staff panel

Scoring: Each judge scores 1-5 points per category. Scores are automatically calculated and averaged across all judges using Google Sheets.

Judge Decisions: All judging decisions are final and binding.

Note: Exterior views, balconies, and outdoor spaces will NOT be considered in judging.

Winner Selection & Notification Selection Process: All eligible submissions are scored by the judge panel. Submissions automatically ranked by total average score in the spreadsheet. Top 3 highest scores = 1st, 2nd, 3rd place. CEO reviews submissions ranked 4th-10th for potential runner-up recognition (at CEO’s discretion). The property manager verifies accounts in good standing for winners/runner-ups only after selection. If a winner is ineligible, the prize moves to the next highest score.

Winner Notification Timeline: Winners notified via email by January 28, 2026.

Method: Email notification to the address provided in the submission.

Response Required: Winners must respond within 7 days and:

  • Complete the scheduling form, which includes 2-3 questions about your experience living in your HDC community (link provided in winner notification email).
  • Schedule and complete the photography session.

Failure to Respond: If a winner doesn’t respond within 7 days or refuses photography, the prize may be forfeited and awarded to the next highest score.

Winner Obligations: All prize winners must complete the following to receive prizes:

  1. Professional Photography Session: Participate in a 30-45-minute photography session at your apartment. Allow the photographer to take photos of your space (multiple angles). Allow the photographer to take portraits of you in your apartment. Prepare space (tidy, remove clutter, optimize lighting). Be available during the photographer’s scheduled window.
  2. Answer Questions About Your Experience. Answer 2-3 questions about living in your HDC community (included in the scheduling form). Topics include: what living here makes possible, lifestyle benefits, and design approach. Your responses will be used as quotes in marketing materials.
  3. Content Usage Agreement. By winning and accepting the prize, you agree: Photos and responses may be published on the HDC website, social media, and marketing materials. HDC may use content indefinitely for promotional purposes. You grant HDC a perpetual, royalty-free license to use the content. Content may be edited or cropped for marketing use.

Runner-Up Participants: Same requirements apply (compensation provided for participation).

Prize Distribution: Prizes are sent as e-gift cards via email within two business days of your photography session.

Legal Terms & Conditions
Usage Rights & Release By entering this contest, you hereby grant Housing Diversity Corporation a non-exclusive, commercial, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, sublicensable, royalty-free license and right to reproduce, distribute, publish, create derivative works of, and otherwise use or license the submitted content (collectively, “Work”) without any limitations.

Representations & Warranties
You represent and warrant that: You are the sole creator of the Work and/or have the necessary rights to grant the license above. The Work does not and will not infringe on any copyright, privacy rights, publicity rights, or other rights of any third party. You have obtained all required releases, consents, and authorizations to take and publish the Work. You have the right to grant all rights and licenses to HDC. You are at least 18 years of age. You are a current resident in good standing.

Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold HDC harmless against any and all claims, damages, losses, costs, expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising from a breach of your representations and warranties.

Additional Terms
No Obligation to Use: Nothing obligates HDC to use the Work in any manner or at all. |

Electronic Signature: Electronic signatures on forms have the same validity as handwritten signatures.

Original Work: Submitted photos must be your original work, not have won previous contests, and not violate copyright laws. Modification Rights: HDC reserves the right to modify, cancel, or suspend the contest if circumstances require.

Tax Responsibility: Winners are responsible for any applicable taxes on prizes.

Disqualification: HDC reserves the right to disqualify entries that violate rules or contain inappropriate content.

Prohibited Content
Submissions containing the following will be disqualified: Offensive, explicit, or inappropriate content. Copyrighted material you don’t own. Branded products as focal points. People other than residents (faces visible). Illegal activities or substances. Content that disparages HDC or properties.

Announcement of Winners: Winners will be notified via email on January 28, 2026.

Contest Timeline

Dec 12 | Contest opens, submissions accepted
Jan 16 | Submission deadline (11:59 PM PST sharp)
Jan 17-Jan 23 | Judging period (6 days)
Jan 24-25 | CEO runner-up review (2 days)
Jan 28 | Winners notified via email
Feb 4  | Winner response deadline (7 days)
Feb 4-Feb 18 | Photography sessions scheduled (2 weeks)
Rolling | Prizes distributed within two business days after each photography session

Questions & Contact info@housingdiversity.com

Property Management: Contact your property manager for property-specific questions.

Contest Sponsor: This contest is sponsored by Housing Diversity Corporation, the developer and manager of your property.