Through the Emergency Family Violence Services program, Alberta is investing an additional $16 million to empower agencies that support Albertans experiencing domestic violence to expand access to services across the province. This builds on the recently announced $62-million commitment for family violence initiatives across the province.
The $16 million investment includes about $15 million distributed through three new streams of the Emergency Family Violence Services program to support flexible, community-based services that better meet the diverse needs of Albertans experiencing family violence, and more than $700,000 in transition funding to ensure continuity of services for family violence shelters across the province.
“Family violence response looks different in every community and we want to ensure that the supports and services available reflect those unique needs. These investments will enable agencies to work together, improve emergency shelter facilities and expand services to better meet the evolving needs of vulnerable Albertans.”
Albertans experiencing family violence and the organizations that support them have shared that survivors are best supported by a range of services tailored to unique circumstances. In response, Alberta’s government developed three new streams under the Emergency Family Violence Services program – ensuring a broad spectrum of supports to meet Albertans’ diverse needs. These streams include:
- More than $5 million in operational funding to support family violence agencies in responding to the changing needs of Albertans experiencing family violence outside traditional emergency shelter settings.
- Almost $6 million in one-time funding through the Regional Collaboration and Innovation Grant to strengthen coordination between providers and community organizations, enabling them to provide more targeted and culturally responsive supports for survivors.
- $4 million over three years through the Facility Grant Pilot Program to help address urgent facility upgrades and maintenance needs.
While traditional women’s emergency shelters remain a vital part of the system, this investment will expand the range of services available to survivors so that more people can find safety, receive crisis support and begin their recovery while remaining safely at home or in their communities whenever possible.
“At YWCA Calgary, we have reimagined the traditional shelter model to provide holistic, family-centred support in a fully accessible, pet-friendly environment where families can heal and rebuild their lives. We are grateful to the Government of Alberta and the Ministry of Children and Family Services for their partnership in advancing innovative solutions that create positive outcomes and lead to lasting change for families and communities.”
“Our shelters are often the first point of connection for people seeking safety, but support does not end at our doors. This investment recognizes the importance of flexible, innovative services that respond to the diverse experiences of survivors and helps us to continue building a stronger network of care across our communities.”
This investment strengthens Alberta’s emergency family violence agencies by supporting safer shelter facilities, encouraging collaboration across communities and providing stable supports and services for women, children and families seeking safety.
“Every Albertan experiencing family violence deserves access to safety and support, regardless of where they live. We are encouraged by today’s announcement and the commitment to both short-term stability and long-term investment in Alberta’s shelter sector. Together, these investments will help strengthen services today and support the sector’s ability to continue to meet the needs of women, children, and families into the future.”
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Quick facts
- Applications for the new funding streams open in September.
- Support will be provided by the ministry throughout the application process and implementation of the grants.
- Grant programs will be fully rolled out by spring 2027.
- A detailed letter will go out to organizations this week about all three grants. In addition, a general information session on the new facility grant pilot program will be scheduled in August, followed by stakeholder engagement to support agencies in navigating the application process.
- Children and Family Services supports 31 women’s emergency shelters, 19 second-stage shelters, two alternative service delivery models, five fee-for-service shelters in First Nations communities and the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.
Related information
Related news
- Strengthening family violence response (May 19, 2026)