Bakersfield, CA, offers a variety of assistance programs for people experiencing homelessness, including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and support services coordinated by Kern County agencies and nonprofit organizations. The Mission at Kern County, the Alliance Against Family Violence, and the Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative are among the leading providers.
Emergency Shelters in Bakersfield
The Mission At Kern County
The Mission at Kern County offers emergency overnight shelter (serving an average of 180 to 200 men per night), communal meals three times a day, hygiene kits, and faith-based recovery programs.
Location: 821 E. 21st Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305.
Phone: 661-325-0863.
Mercy House: Brundage Lane Navigation Center
A low-barrier shelter for adults, operating via referrals. It provides comprehensive services to help residents return to stable housing. Access is by referral only through partner agencies, such as the Bakersfield Police Department or The Mission at Kern County.
Location: 1900 E Brundage Ln Suite 1, Bakersfield, CA 93307
Phone: (661) 336-9967
M Street Navigation Center
A low-barrier shelter, open 24 hours a day, for men and women (ages 18 and older), including couples. It offers on-site case management and employment referrals.
Location: 2900 M Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301.
Organizations Assisting the Homeless
The Open Door Network
The Open Door Network operates Bakersfield’s only shelter dedicated exclusively to families. It provides emergency and transitional housing specifically for families with children, single women, and survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking. It also provides homelessness prevention services, such as short-term rental assistance.
Location: 1600 E. Truxtun Ave.
Phone: 661-322-9199.
California Veterans Assistance Foundation (CVAF)
The California Veterans Assistance Foundation (CVAF) is a Bakersfield-based non-profit organization dedicated to assisting veterans and their families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. The organization offers transitional housing, permanent housing assistance, and various support services to help veterans regain their stability. CVAF manages several specialized programs designed to address diverse housing and employment needs:
- Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF): Focuses on “Rapid Re-Housing” to quickly end homelessness, and on “Homelessness Prevention” to prevent at-risk families from losing their homes. This program provides temporary financial assistance for rent, utilities, security deposits, and moving expenses.
- Grant & Per Diem (GPD) / Bridge Housing: Offers alcohol- and drug-free transitional housing for single male veterans. These programs are designed to identify the underlying causes of homelessness and provide assistance to achieve residential stability, as well as to develop skills for independent living.
- Transition In Place (TIP): A program through which veterans and their families move into an apartment leased by CVAF. The goal is for the veteran to assume full responsibility for the lease within 3 to 24 months as they achieve financial independence.
- Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program (HVRP): An employment-focused program offering job training, placement services, and case management to help homeless veterans re-enter the workforce.
- Rally Point: A permanent housing program aimed at veterans with a documented disability and low income. CVAF leases apartments from local landlords and provides ongoing case management services.
Flood Ministries
Flood Bakersfield Ministries (also known as Flood Ministries) is a leading provider of street-based community outreach and housing navigation services for individuals experiencing homelessness in Kern County. Unlike traditional fixed-site shelters, this organization specializes in reaching people where they are—in encampments, parks, and vehicles—to connect them with long-term housing options.
Address: 1830 Truxtun Ave, Ste 210, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Homelessness Hotline: 661-578-5354
Casa Esperanza: Transitional Housing
Casa Esperanza is a transitional housing program in Bakersfield, designed specifically to help homeless women and children transition from life on the streets or in emergency shelters to permanent housing. It is operated by The Open Door Network (formerly known as the Bakersfield Homeless Center).
Since this is a transitional program rather than an emergency overnight shelter, intake is typically managed through a referral process:
- Call The Open Door Network at 661-322-9199.
- Most residents are referred after having stayed at the main emergency shelter, located at 1600 E. Truxtun Avenue.
Government Assistance Programs
Bakersfield residents can access a wide range of government assistance programs through the Kern County Department of Human Services (DHS) and the City of Bakersfield. These programs provide aid with food, financial assistance, healthcare, and housing.
County and State Assistance
Kern County DHS administers several key benefits for low-income residents:
CalFresh (Food Stamps): Provides monthly funds via an EBT card to help individuals and families purchase groceries.
Medi-Cal: Offers free or low-cost health insurance for eligible individuals, including those with low incomes, disabilities, or specific medical needs.
CalWORKs: A public assistance program that provides financial aid and services (such as childcare and job training) to eligible families with children.
General Assistance (GA): Provides minimal financial aid for rent, utilities, and personal needs to single adults and couples without dependent minor children who lack any other form of support.
CAPI (Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants): Financial aid for elderly, blind, or disabled legal immigrants who are ineligible for SSI due to their immigration status.
Housing and Utility Assistance
Various programs provide support for housing stability and energy costs:
Rental Assistance and Eviction Prevention: The City of Bakersfield collaborates with agencies such as The Open Door Network to provide short-term rental assistance and moving aid. Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance offers eviction protection and legal counsel.
Energy Program (HEAP): Administered by CAPK, this program helps residents who meet income eligibility requirements pay their utility bills and make free weatherization improvements to their homes.
Home Repair Grants: The City offers home repair and weatherization grants (of up to $25,000) intended for homeowners who need to make health- and safety-related improvements.
Home Accessibility Grant: Provides modifications (such as ramps or bathroom adaptations) at no cost to homeowners or renters with disabilities in order to improve their mobility.
Employment & Family Services
Welfare-to-Work: Offers job preparation workshops, job placement services, and paid work experience for CalWORKs participants.
WIC (Women, Infants, and Children): Provides nutrition education and healthy foods for pregnant women and children under five years of age.
Child Care Assistance: Helps CalWORKs families pay for child care while they work or attend school.
How to Apply
- Use BenefitsCal.com to apply for CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and CalWORKs at once.
- Visit the Main DHS Office at 100 E. California Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93307.
Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (BKRHC)
The Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (BKRHC) is an independent non-profit organization (501(c)3 status) that serves as the official Continuum of Care (CoC) for Bakersfield and Kern County.
Unlike shelters or food banks, the BKRHC does not provide direct services—such as housing or meals—to individuals. Instead, it functions as the central planning and coordinating body that administers federal and state funding, conducts the annual Point-in-Time count of people experiencing homelessness, and develops regional strategies to end homelessness.
Summary
Bakersfield’s homeless assistance network combines government programs, non-profit shelters, and coordinated access services. The fastest way to obtain help is by calling 2-1-1, a number that connects individuals with shelters—such as The Mission at Kern County—and with programs like CalWORKs Homeless Assistance.
