Banff, Alberta, is seeing a dramatic surge in calls to the YWCA Banff 24/7 crisis line, with 1,195 calls answered last year — a 256 percent increase over the past five years.
According to the YWCA Banff, 60 percent of callers identified housing as their primary concern. The community’s rental vacancy rate sits at zero percent, leaving many residents without options when they need safe, stable shelter.
About 22 percent of callers said domestic violence, sexual violence, or both were their main reason for reaching out. The line is staffed by a team of six trained workers who provide trauma-informed support and connect callers with shelter, counselling, and community resources.
One YWCA Banff residential programs counsellor, Simar, described using suicide intervention training and calling 911 to help locate a caller in crisis. Police later found the person safe.
“This could be a normal call, or a last call of hope for some people,” said Simar. “It’s important for us as frontline workers to be professional and compassionate when answering that phone.”
Domestic abuse is growing across Alberta, with a 19 percent increase from 2022 resulting in 8,483 women and seniors, 3,561 children, 53 men, and 17 gender-diverse individuals accessing shelters, according to the CAWES.
YWCA Banff has been a leading provider of affordable housing in the community for over 25 years, accommodating more than 150 residents. The organization is also moving forward with the Higher Ground Project in Canmore, which will include 14 emergency shelter units and 106 transitional and affordable housing units.
Residents who need support, for themselves or someone they know, can call the crisis line any time at 1-403-760-3200.
