The Kern County Homeless Collaborative is a network of nonprofit service providers, policymakers, businesses, charitable and faith-based organizations, volunteers and homeless or formerly homeless individuals all working together to put an end to homelessness in Kern County. Its Fiscal Sponsor is United Way of Kern County, based in Bakersfield, CA.
Collaborative members provide shelter and food, supportive services, housing, job training and placement, and other types of assistance to help the homeless become self-sufficient and remain in housing.
Current members are:
Our mission is:
To that end, the Collaborative developed Home First! Kern County’s 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. The plan was presented publicly in 2008, and takes a “housing first” approach to ending homelessness. “Housing first” means providing the homeless with a permanent residence and access to crucial services so that the factors contributing to homelessness can be remedied.
The KCHC also carries out a countywide Homeless Count (or Homeless Census) every year to help us understand local trends in homelessness and the evolving needs of Kern's homeless.
Bylaws and a Code of Conduct ensure a foundation of ethics in the work of the Homeless Collaborative. All Officers, Voting Members, Employees and Agents of the Homeless Collaborative are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct. Please click here to view it.
To learn about current members of the Kern County Homeless Collaborative, how to refer clients to them, and to find links to their websites, please click here.
Finally, we would like to thank and acknowledge the funding support of Bakersfield Mayor and KCHC Member The Honorable Harvey L. Hall, who funded the design and development of this website through a generous personal gift.
We would also like to acknowledge the in-kind contribution of the beautiful--yet sobering--images of the homeless that grace this website. They have been provided by local photojournalist Felix Adamo and Los Angeles-based artist Pat Berger.
You can read brief bios of Mr. Adamo and Ms. Berger and view more of their images on our website Gallery by clicking here. Please note that all images are copyright protected and cannot be used without permission.