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Kern County highlights homeless services gains and seeks general‑fund support as ARPA expires
Summary
County staff reported a modest countywide rise in homelessness and outlined program outcomes — navigation center, tiny homes, safe camping — while requesting general‑fund and one‑time dollars to sustain Safe Camping and Hope on Heart as ARPA funding sunsets; board accepted the report and advanced budget direction.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors received an update on homelessness and housing services that highlighted program growth and looming funding gaps.
Assistant County Administrative Officer Stacy Kuwahara and homeless coordinator Bridget Guzman told the board the 2026 county homeless count showed a 3% increase but noted programmatic gains: since July 2025, county-funded emergency shelters, navigation centers and safe camping programs have sheltered 889 people, with 619 exiting to positive destinations and 114 to permanent supportive housing. Staff also reported 219 new housing units added and county investments in rural outreach and a planned permanent supportive housing facility in Oildale expected in March 2027.
Kuwahara said the county has relied heavily on federal and one‑time ARPA funding to start and sustain programs, and several efforts — including Hope on Heart (a 49‑unit tiny‑homes shelter in Oildale) and Safe Camping adjacent to the M Street Navigation Center — will require general‑fund support when ARPA dollars expire. Staff requested a one‑time $1.4 million allocation for homelessness division operations and recommended a general‑fund contribution of $1.1 million to sustain Hope on Heart through the remainder of the fiscal year. Safe Camping was presented as requiring a $308,000 general‑fund contribution to remain operational; staff said Safe Camping and Hope on Heart had the highest positive‑exit rates among county shelters.
Bridget Guzman outlined countywide services supported by a mix of HAP, HOME, CDBG and ARPA funds: rural mobile shower and outreach teams that served nearly 600 residents; a Mojave Drop‑in clinic that has served about 1,200 people since July; youth‑focused prevention and diversion programs; and Homeward Bound family reunification work that relocates people to trusted supports outside the county.
Supervisors praised the report but raised budget concerns. Supervisor Couch asked whether the requested general‑fund amounts would be bundled into the June budget adoption; staff confirmed those requests are part of upcoming budget deliberations. The board voted to receive and file the report and directed staff to include the requests in the budget process.
The county also flagged program risks: ARPA dollars expire in December and two programs were identified as at risk without ongoing general‑fund support. Staff said they will launch a countywide homeless dashboard, pursue pooled investments with partner jurisdictions and expand outreach in unincorporated areas.
What happens next: the board accepted the report and the funding requests will be considered during the county's June budget hearings. Staff said additional reporting and a homeless dashboard would follow to track outcomes and expenditures.
