After the discovery of black mould in the Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter leading to a temporary closure of the facility, the provincial government has committed a one-time payment of $400,000 to help cover remediation costs.
According to the province, the shelter receives just over $1.2 million annually from the government to operate the 24-bed women’s emergency shelter and a three-unit second-stage shelter. Officials say the three-unit shelter units were unaffected by black mould and remain open.
According to Alberta Minister of Children and Family Services, Searle Turton, a healthy relationship between the province and the shelter has been fruitful for both parties, and continuing advocacy for women’s shelters like it remain a priority for the government.
“Women’s shelters are crucial to ensuring the safety and well-being of women and children impacted by family violence,” he says. “We worked closely with Peace River Regional Women’s Shelter to make sure they have the supports and funding they need to help survivors.”
The current plan is to have emergency shelter beds reopened at the end of March, and residents of the facility have been placed in temporary accommodations in the meantime. The shelter has continued to provide crisis support and outreach services and has played an important role in finding alternate spaces for clients.
