The Mountain Rose Centre in Rocky Mountain House is facing a reduction in its capacity due to funding constraints.

Starting April 1, 2025, the shelter will reduce its bed count from 28 to 21, reversing a previous increase made possible by funding granted by the provincial government last year.

The shelter was grateful for the funding boost that enabled them to operate with 28 beds, says Cindy Easton, Executive Director of the Mountain Rose Centre. However, the support was designated as one-time funding, and the shelter is now reverting back to 21 beds.

The bed reduction comes at a time when demand for services remains high. “We are full all the time. It will be a challenge, which means our turnaways will be much greater again,” said Easton.

The shelter’s funding for 21 beds, which had been the standard prior to last year, amounts to approximately $1.1 million, with a slight increase of 3.5 per cent ($49,000) for the upcoming fiscal year. However, Easton emphasized, this increase is based on the budget from five years ago and does not fully account for inflation or increased operational costs since then.

The shelter had received $1.4 million to fund the additional seven beds when the provincial government temporarily increased funding for the 2024 fiscal year. However, Easton noted, the incremental funding was not sustainable and was considered a one-time investment. “We were thrilled last year when we got the increase, but now we’re back to 21 beds as of April 1st,” she said. “At times, the funding has been adequate, but right now, it feels like we are back to hoping for more.”

Easton expressed concerns about the future of the Mountain Rose Centre and how the funding reduction might impact the surrounding community. She stressed that the shelter will continue to provide support, but the capacity constraints will inevitably affect their ability to serve all those in need. The Centre plans to raise funds through community events, including a 35-kilometre walk to celebrate its 35th anniversary in May and a country music night in the fall.

In contrast, a recent press release from the provincial government highlights a commitment to addressing gender-based violence through substantial funding, including $3 million specifically for women’s shelter programs across Alberta. A $15.7 million investment in 2024-25 is part of the province’s broader efforts to combat gender-based violence and provide critical services to survivors. It adds, Alberta’s government is also developing a 10-year strategy to end gender-based violence.

Alberta’s Minister of Arts, Culture, and Status of Women, Tanya Fir, stated, “We are not waiting to take action. We are making targeted investments to prevent gender-based violence in all its forms while providing support to survivors.” The province’s investment in shelter resources is part of a larger commitment, which it says includes nearly $57 million allocated to women’s shelters in the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Despite these efforts, Easton voiced skepticism about the adequacy of the provincial funding in addressing the growing needs of shelters like Mountain Rose Centre. She pointed out that the provincial investment, though significant at times, is spread across some 43 shelters, leaving many with insufficient support to meet demand.

However, Easton remains committed to the shelter’s mission. “We will always provide services,” she said. “We have committed staff and a committed board of directors and we’ll figure it out.”