Financial Help for Rent in Bakersfield and Kern County.
The rental market in the Bakersfield area is sometimes challenging for two primary reasons: the high concentration of seasonal farm labor and the extreme summer heat. The local rental assistance system in Kern County, with options listed below, is comprised of government grants, faith-based charities, and non-profit stabilization programs.
In Kern County, utility bills in the summer can often exceed the cost of rent, leading to a "Summer Rent Gap." Assistance programs here are specifically structured to address these peaks in housing instability. Whether you are a farmworker in Delano or a family in Bakersfield facing a "Pay or Quit" notice, the following organizations may provide emergency grants to pay rent, legal aid to stop an eviction, and security deposit help for rehousing.
Centralized Help and Referrals
Before contacting individual charities for temporary rental assistance, residents should use the regional referral systems to find which programs have active funding. As all organizations in Kern County have limited funding as well as application criteria, and any grant money that may pay for housing costs like rent or a deposit comes and goes.
- Kern County 2-1-1 (Community Action Partnership): Dial 2-1-1 or (800) 273-2275 for a live operator who can provide the most current list of rent and utility assistance programs available by zip code.
- Kern County Homeless Collaborative: A network of non-profits that coordinates federal grants for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing (HPRP). They help with back rent and security deposits for those transitioning into stable housing. Learn more about eviction prevention and rehousing in Kern County.
Government and County-Wide Agencies
These organizations manage large-scale federal housing vouchers and legal protections for tenants across the county.
- Housing Authority of the County of Kern (HAKC): This agency manages the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and low-income public housing, which is a form of long term, income based rent assistance. They also offer specialized housing for agricultural workers in centers like Arvin and Shafter in addition to California Section 8. Address: 601 24th St, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Phone: (661) 631-8500. Website: https://www.hakc.org/.
- Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK): Offers rental assistance referrals and energy bill help (HEAP), including to tenants. Often, paying utility bills (current or past) is the first step in helping a family stay current on their rent during peak summer months. Address: 5005 Business Park Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93309. Phone: (661) 336-5200. Learn more about programs from the Kern County Community Action Partnership.
- Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA): Provides free legal services to low-income residents, seniors, and the disabled to prevent wrongful evictions and address housing discrimination. Address: 615 California Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93304. Phone: (661) 325-5943
- California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA): Focuses on the housing rights of rural tenants and farmworkers, dealing with landlord disputes and unsafe housing conditions. Delano Office is at 601 High St, Delano, CA 93215. Phone: (661) 725-4350
- Specialized Aid for Veterans is available. Wounded Heroes Fund is dedicated to Kern County veterans. They provide SSVF grants for rent, utility arrears, and moving costs, as well as assistance with affordable housing applications. Address: 3121 Standard Street, Bakersfield, CA 93308. Phone: (661) 328-8600
Bakersfield City Charities and Churches for Rent Payment Help
The following non-profits have a primary focus on residents within the Bakersfield metropolitan area. They may have, from time to time, funds to help pay rental costs for qualified people.
- The Open Door Network (Formerly Bethany Services & Alliance Against Family Violence): These two leading agencies merged to provide a comprehensive housing campus. They offer emergency rent funds, transitional housing for women and children, and specialized support for domestic violence survivors. Phone: (661) 322-9199. The two offices are below.
- Outreach Address: 1921 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
- Homeless Center Address: 1600 East Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93305
- The Salvation Army - Bakersfield: Provides financial aid for rent and security deposits as well as household items for newly rehoused families. Address: 4417 Wilson Road, Bakersfield, CA 93309. Phone: (661) 837-4243, or find more details on Salvation Army housing programs in Bakersfield.
- Catholic Charities (formerly Social Services): Offers emergency rent and utility help, specifically supporting immigrants and vulnerable families. Address: 825 Chester Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Phone: (661) 281-2130
- St. Vincent de Paul: A parish-based charity providing small grants for rent or deposits and emergency furniture for qualified tenants. Address: 300 Baker Street, Bakersfield, CA 93305. Phone: (661) 323-7340
- CityServe Network: Manages the "Starting Point" program, which provides mediation between landlords and tenants to prevent eviction proceedings. Address: 3201 F Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301. Phone: (661) 558-4441
- Love, Inc. of Greater Bakersfield: A clearinghouse that refers individuals to local churches for housing-related needs, including furniture and appliance repair. Some of the referrals may be to local charities in Kern County that have limited funds to pay rental expenses. Phone: (661) 325-8838
Regional Resources (Rural Kern County)
Due to Kern County's size, specific organizations serve residents in remote or outlying areas, with some focused on arranging housing and rent payment assistance.
- Lake Isabella / Kern River Valley: Helping Hand Ministries and the Community Christian Service Center provide rent and utility help for residents in the mountain and river communities. Address: 6105 Lake Isabella Blvd, Lake Isabella, CA 93240. Phone: (760) 379-5100
- Taft: Taft NEEDS (Necessary Emergency Economic District Site) offers localized rent and deposit assistance for low-income families in the Taft area. Address: 518 Main Street, Taft, CA 93268. Phone: (661) 763-4888
- Tehachapi: Sharing and Caring of Tehachapi provides one-time rental arrears help and household supplies for the mountain region. Address: 203 S Pauley Street, Tehachapi, CA 93561. Phone: (661) 822-3001
- Family Resource Centers: Specialized hubs in McFarland (661-792-1883), Frazier Park (661-245-4303), and Delano (661-721-7036) offer emergency rent help to seniors and working families.
Community Discussion and Local Advice
Finding help in Kern County can be difficult when funding cycles end. To ask questions about which local charities have active funds or to share your experience with the application process, visit the community forum about Kern County rental assistance programs.
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