def unique_local_name(loc_name, host_model):
###############################################################################
    """Create a unique local name based on the local_name property,
    <loc_name> for a variable with standard name, <std_name>.
    If <local_name> is an unique local name (not in <host_model>),
    simply return that. If not, create one and return that."""
    new_name = host_model.find_local_name(loc_name) is not None
    if new_name:
        new_lname = host_model.new_internal_variable_name(prefix=loc_name)
    else:
        new_lname = loc_name
    # end if
    return new_lname