City council will not be taking any steps to bring a women’s shelter to Airdrie in the near future.
Last December aldermen and the mayor directed staff to report back on the level of need in Airdrie for a women’s shelter, whether there is support from the Provincial government to locate a shelter in the community and the current services available for a victim of domestic abuse.
Clay Aragon, Family and Community Support Services coordinator brought the report to council April 15.
“There is very little data available on the current need for an emergency shelter in Airdrie,” said Aragon. “Because of the stigma and sensitivity of the issue of domestic violence, more thorough research would have to be undertaken to fully understand the need in Airdrie.”
He said there is data available from women who use shelters in Calgary and the surrounding areas but not those who would use the service if it was available.
“Women tend to go to family and friends or find a place on their own before going to a shelter,” said Aragon. “However, one reason women go back to an abusive relationship is a lack of housing or poverty.”
In 2011, as part of the City’s community needs assessment, residents were asked to respond to 14 community and social services. Two per cent of respondents said they have used victim support services and three per cent indicated the need for an emergency shelter in the community.
According to Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society (ADVAS) officials, in the past three years, they have assisted about 15 cases where the needs of women and their children would have been better supported by an emergency shelter. On at least five occasions in the last three years Airdrie women have been turned away from emergency shelters.
According to Aragon, there are four emergency shelters (providing women a place to stay for a maximum of 21 days) and seven second-stage shelters (providing a place to stay for women for up to two years) in the Calgary area. Airdrie women in need of an emergency centre can use one of the four in Calgary and area. If police have been involved, victims of domestic violence can be referred to ADVAS, which would connect them with emergency shelters, Community Links and the Airdrie Food Bank.
Airdrie Housing Limited and its Rent-Plus Program is considered third-stage or long-term housing that could be accessed by victims of domestic violence. Aragon said in most municipalities, a housing organization or strategy is the main role the City plays in family violence prevention.
Aragon also said there is no new funding available for additional shelters from the government of Alberta. The current funds are committed to existing shelters.
Council had the options to accept the report for information, form a community task force to assess the need for a women’s emergency shelter in Airdrie or commission a research study at a cost of about $22,000.
“I would rather give the $22,000 to the people who are involved in helping victims of domestic violence already,” said Alderman Allan Hunter. Alderman Kelly Hegg said Aragon answered council’s questions regarding the need of a facility in Airdrie.
“Domestic violence is a concern in any community but at this time I think it is being handled by the RCMP, ADVAS and other services in Airdrie,” he said. “We will keep this on our radar so when we see something that gives us cause to move in the direction of a shelter, we will do that. ”
