County council receives report on WHMB from Member at Large

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Wheatland County council received a report during the Jan. 14 regular meeting of council from their Member at Large (MAL), Debbie Wakelam, regarding the Wheatland Housing Management Board (WHMB).

The report summarized meetings and activities through November and December. Wakelam began attending WHMB meetings as of Nov. 21.

“On Nov. 22, I attended an Alberta Senior and Community Housing Association (ASHA) webinar and this was Aging in Community of Choice with services and wraparound supports,” she reported. “That same day was also the National Housing Day and an announcement was made by Minister Jason Nixon. This was for the Affordable Housing Partnership Program (AHPP) … this was opened for the next round of application and the deadline for applications is ending Jan. 31.”

She reiterated to council, the WHMB is applying for AHPP funding in order to help facilitate construction of the new Wheatland Lodge in Strathmore.

Wakelam reported that the WHMB is also seeking to fill a MAL position, which is detailed on their website and Facebook page.

At the request of Coun. Shannon Laprise, this was clarified as not being a new position within the WHMB, rather the board is seeking a new person to replace a previous MAL who has ceased operating in the position.

She added a meeting had been called by the WHMB chair, Dec. 19, to which she attended, and the next meeting following was held, Jan. 16.

“This has been a new exercise for us to have a member at large, so it is great to have some information back from that person that is not sitting in this room,” said Coun. Scott Klassen following the report.

Klassen also inquired as to the status of whether the WHMB had applied for the new round of grant funding, as the deadline approaches.

Coun. Glenn Koester explained the board applied in March 2024 for a previous intake and have been advised that the previous application was still valid.

Following a motion put forward by Coun. Richard Laursen, Wakelam’s report was accepted as information by council. There was no indication presented during the council meeting regarding the frequency of future similar reports to council from the MAL.