Family, community support services launching housing survey

By Rob Vogt

Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services wants to see what the community’s views are on housing and services.
To that end, they have engaged the Rural Development Network on the Claresholm and Area Housing and Services Needs Estimation Project.
Barbara Bell, director of Family and Community Support Services, said they have been planning the project awhile and the survey will go live on Feb. 3.
The survey was created to help the community learn more about the housing and service needs of its residents. The answers to this survey will help inform decision-making on policies, programs, and funding related to housing and service needs in Claresholm.
“It’s an opportunity for the community to voice concerns about the quality of housing and services,” Bell said.
She noted it is a lengthy survey that covers a lot of information.
Bell said the survey asks if people have used a shelter, or slept in their car; is it difficult to pay rent; is rent more than 30 percent of income; do they live in unsafe conditions; what affects getting secure housing; and more.
It asks if people have to leave town to use services such as financial; employment; health and wellness; addiction; legal; and parenting services, and more.
The survey also talks about transportation, food, and social services.
Bell encourages everyone to take some time to complete the survey.
“I really hope we can get a large percentage of people (to fill it out),” she said.
The community can find physical copies of the survey at Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services; the town office; Claresholm Public Library; Claresholm Social Centre; and the Claresholm Local Press office.
A QR code is available to be scanned on posters and ads as well, for people to fill it out electronically.
The survey period runs from Feb. 3 to Feb. 28 inclusive.
After that, all responses will be submitted to the Rural Development Network who will compile them.
The results will go to Claresholm and District Family and Community Support Services as well as town council.
“It gives us an idea,” Bell said, adding the results will provide a snap shot of housing and services in the community, and raise awareness.