The Habitat for Humanity Drumheller Chapter is seeking new applicants interested in purchasing a new home with some conditions.
The process has three simple steps: Take the eligibility quiz, attend an open house and then submit an application. The quiz portion has six questions that determine whether basic criteria to get approved for an affordable mortgage is met and can be found on the Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta website at https://www.habitatsouthernab.ca/own-a-home/quiz.
“I can not express how desperately we need families to apply,” began Sheri Cooper of Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta. “If we get one family approved we can do our build so it’s not even a matter of needing two families immediately, we just need one family. Of course, we are building a duplex so we will need two families but not having two [families] right now will not prevent the build.”
What makes Habitat for Humanity so successful is the unconventional access once families are approved for a home. The program is essentially an interest-free mortgage that can be paid within a time frame of up to 40 years.
“There is no interest and there is no down payment The down payment comes with the 500 hours of sweat equity that you put in and that can be completed in a variety of different ways. Volunteering is a big one, you wouldn’t necessarily be swinging a hammer on your own house but there are definitely opportunities to volunteer in this community and with Habitat for that matter,” she said.

Revenue Canada recently changed the requirements for gift-in-kind which has in turn raised cash requirements. The organization is now looking for $40,000 to make the family dream home a reality.
Cooper explained the organization is on schedule to build sometime later this year and are hoping to have the duplex complete by Christmas.
Council has also waived the building and development permit fees for the 2018 Habitat for Humanity project as a one-time request to help alleviate the cost of building.

Kneehill County Council has announced there will be no increase in municipal taxes this year.
Although Kneehill County has lost significant assessment, particularly in the oil and natural gas sector, through the solid management of revenue over expenses the county remains in a good financial position.
Kneehill County has been able to maintain its high level of service to ratepayers while controlling expenses in areas that have no or minimal impact on residents.
The County continues to have an excellent road network and there are significant road construction upgrades planned for this year’s construction season.
Many residents enjoy the convenience of rural water lines. Council has dedicated almost $5 million dollars to an upgrade to the Churchill Water System which will improve the service for current users, and allow for expansion to those in the area who have not had the opportunity to connect to a County water line.
In 2018, the County has been able to expand the Peace Officer Department to provide greater enforcement visibility in rural areas. The new Kneehill County Fire Chief will be creating a long-term strategy for fire protection for Kneehill County rural and hamlet residents.
“2018 will continue to be a great year for Kneehill County and we look forward to hearing from our residents to gain feedback on the services we provide and on our overall direction,” said Deb Grosfield, Kneehill County Communications Officer.
This freeze in taxation comes after Kneehill County cancelled a $1 million fund called the Regional Resources Urban Sustainability Grant which was shared annually among towns and villages within the county to support these smaller communities. Council revealed this action was necessary in order to keep rising costs down like fuel, carbon tax, business operations and a declining assessment base.