Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative approves grant funding for COVID-19 Prevention and Containment programs
Local service providers receive more than $220,000 to serve those experiencing homelessness
CONTACT: Anna Laven, Ed.D., BKRHC Executive Director, 310-592-8557, anna.laven@bkrhc.org
BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (BKRHC) Executive Board approved this week approved over $220,000 in one-time grant funding to local homeless service providers for COVID-19 prevention and containment programs. The grants are funded through a special allocation of the State of California’s Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) Grant Program intended for COVID-19 prevention and containment. All funds will be put to use prior to December 31, 2020.
“Our homeless service providers are moving swiftly to help our homeless neighbors contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Anna Laven, Ed.D., BKRHC executive director. “These grant allocations are funding innovative programs in every part of Kern County, so we can keep our COVID-19 transmission rates low and focus our attention on reopening the economy and implementing long-term solutions to address homelessness in our community.”
Eligible uses for the funding were determined based on the needs of persons experiencing homelessness and local homeless service providers and include such uses as:
- Prevention equipment: furnishings, medically-indicated services and supplies, and equipment needed to maintain a sanitary shelter environment for clients and staff
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): materials and supplies to help provide a sanitary environment for clients and staff
- Transportation: support for the transportation of those experiencing homeless to and from shelters and medical care
- Food: supplies to address hunger and food insecurity
- Information Technology (IT): computers and IT support
- Isolation capacity: isolation placements for those impacted by or at risk of COVID-19
Grant recipients and award amounts are listed in the table below:
| Grant Recipient | Amount |
| The Mission at Kern County | $11,000 |
| Shar-On | $30,000 |
| Adventist Health | $12,000 |
| Kern County Network for Children | $5,000 |
| Bakersfield Homeless Center | $55,500 |
| Alliance Against Family Violence and Domestic Assault | $5,000 |
| All of Us or None | $25,000 |
| Clinica Sierra Vista | $25,000 |
| Women’s Center – High Desert, Inc. | $5,000 |
| Flood Ministries Bakersfield | $42,000 |
| California Veterans Assistance Foundation | $8,657 |
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ABOUT THE BAKERSFIELD-KERN REGIONAL HOMELESS COLLABORATIVE
The Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative (BKRHC) is an independent nonprofit organization composed of individuals, organizations and public agencies dedicated to address homelessness in our community. Through collaborative planning and action, BKRHC works to reduce the impacts of homelessness and build a future where every person in Kern County has a permanent place to call home.