Alberta government announces additional funding for women’s shelters

EDMONTON – The Alberta government has pledged $15 million in new funding for women’s shelters.

The government said the funding will help women and children affected by family violence safely rebuild their lives after leaving an abusive relationship.

“The Alberta government is committed to protecting women and children affected by family violence. This new funding will help ensure they are safe and get the support they need to maintain their independence free of violence,” said Minister of Human Services Irfan Sabir.

READ MORE: Number of women not accommodated by Alberta shelters at ‘all-time high’

The $15 million will go towards a wide range of support, including helping pay for operating costs at women’s emergency shelters, providing program funding in all 11 second-stage shelters, and hiring 84 new outreach support workers and 40 child and youth counsellors to work in shelters and communities.

One of the major challenges for Edmonton shelters is lack of housing, said Jan Reimer, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters Executive Director.

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“Fewer women are staying in shelters because they’re staying longer because they have nowhere else to go. So by having this second-stage shelters fund and by having an additional worker that can help identify community supports can really help address those bottlenecks.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Fewer women are staying in shelters because they're staying longer because they have nowhere else to go. So by having this second-stage shelters fund and by having an additional worker that can help identify community supports can really help address those bottlenecks."

READ MORE: After securing funding, Edmonton women’s shelter will open its doors again

The additional funding brings the total annual investment to more than $49 million to support women’s shelters, according to the government.

Last fall, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters issued a report that said 8,427 women and 8,012 children were turned away from shelters due to lack of space.

The council represents 42 shelter organizations in the province.

WATCH: The province is boosting programs that support women and children affected by family violence. Patricia Vargas from A Safe Place Shelter gives us her reaction to the $15 million funding announcement.

With files from The Canadian Press