ShelterLink logo with a house icon containing an upward arrow, and the word ShelterLink in lowercase letters.

ShelterLink helps community service providers rapidly find available shelter beds for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Two position markers with a dashed line connecting them.

How it works

Through the ShelterLink app, participating shelters report in real-time on their bed availability.

Service providers can see spaces available in other shelters, so women fleeing domestic violence don’t need to make multiple calls to find safe, emergency housing.

Currently, the ShelterLink app hosts thirty-one emergency, transitional, and second stage shelters across Alberta.

Why we made this

Before ShelterLink, people experiencing domestic violence and their supporters had to call each shelter one-by-one to check if they had shelter beds available.

This process was difficult, time-consuming, and demoralizing.

People seeking safety from domestic violence were put in danger in critical moments; while busy social workers, healthcare workers, and emergency services struggled to find safe shelter for the families they were serving.

A woman with dark hair and purple streaks, wearing a beige shirt, talking on the phone while holding a pen, sitting at a desk with notebooks and a computer monitor.

A rapid access, collaborative network

ShelterLink is a rapid access, collaborative, system-of-care approach to helping families fleeing domestic violence.

This connected network meets the needs of families and provides seamless service delivery.

This project helps providers better understand demand for domestic violence services, and shelter beds in the community. The platform tracks usage and access trends to support the system to become more responsive. 

ShelterLink exists to ensure that community resources are as responsive as possible.

A stylized map illustrating a care system with multiple points of service and informational labels, highlighting integration and swift access to support for domestic violence victims.

An integrated system of care where no one is left without support.

The ShelterLink application (SL app) provides active and timely communication about shelter bed availability, providing a unique channel of communication to enable systems and service providers to rapidly connect families with necessary support.

This contact form is not for crisis support. If you need help with an issue related to domestic violence and abuse, contact:

If you’re in danger, please call 911

Contact Us

Interested in working together? Fill out some info and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!