EDMONTON, AB – Over $21 million is being put forward by the province to help protect vulnerable Albertans as we head into much colder weather.
The money will be used to ensure folks have access to services like 24-7 emergency shelter access as well as support for victims of domestic violence.
Of that funding, $6.5 million will be for 285 COVID-19 isolation spaces in ten communities including Lethbridge and Medicine Hat. Those sites aim to help take the pressure off the public health care system by helping shelter clients who get COVID isolate and receive medical care if they don’t need to go to the hospital.
The rest of the $21.5 million dollars, $13 million and $2 million respectively, will be split between emergency homeless and women’s shelters, including in Lethbridge.
Community and Social Service Minister, Jason Luan says this funding will go a long way to ensure shelters are providing Albertans with critical supports in a healthy environment.
This additional funding announced Wednesday guarantees these supports will be in place until March 2022.