Okotoks has received a grant from the United Way Calgary to complete a community needs assessment.
The $15,000 grant will help the Town conduct a study that will look at people who work in Okotoks, but do not live in the community.
A consultant will approach local businesses and have employees complete surveys to assess social needs that are either being met or are lacking in the town.
“We want to find out if they want to live here, what’s stopping them from coming into the community,” said community wellness manager Debbie Posey. “We’re looking to see if there are services they need that aren’t accessible in Okotoks.”
The study will focus primarily on social programs the Town could potentially offer, she said, such as parenting support and family resources.
The study may also reveal affordable housing needs in the community, she said.
“It gives us more information to bring forward to council and planning for future development,” said Posey. “As we move forward with growth and trying to meet the needs of our community, this data will be important.”
Those who work in town, but do not live here may shed some light on services that are missing, she said.
“Ultimately, we want to know if it’s a choice that they choose to live outside of town, or if there is something preventing them from living in the town they work,” Posey said.
There is a high enough number of people in Okotoks in this situation to warrant a study, she said, to determine what can be done to accommodate the needs of more people in town.
Once the study is complete, the consultant will present a report to the United Way/ Okotoks Partnership committee and town council to reveal its findings, she said.
The Community Capacity Building Grant is provided to all agencies in Calgary and the surrounding area, with $5,000 allocated per year over each three-year period.
Diane Altwasser, community impact manager for United Way Calgary, said many towns combine the total into one grant of $15,000 every three years to undertake community needs studies.
“These grants help municipalities build governance policies, do strategic planning and conduct program design work,” said Altwasser. “It’s intended to support the community and residents of towns.”
Community needs studies help United Way committees develop a better understanding of where issues lie in town and helps the municipality understand the needs of its lower-income residents, she said.
The Community Capacity Building Grants are generated from donor funds raised annually. In 2014, United Way raised $59 million total, of which $250,000 was earmarked for the grants, she said.
The remaining funds are allocated to municipalities according to funding agreements. Okotoks receives $74,000 annually to support local community programs, she said.
For more information about United Way funding in Okotoks, visit www.calgaryunitedway.org or www.okotoks.ca.
