Free help to fight an eviction in Bakersfield and Kern County
Being handed eviction papers in Kern County starts a clock, and in California it's a fast one. Once a landlord files the actual lawsuit — called an unlawful detainer — and has you served with it, you have only a narrow window of court days to file a written response or to stop the eviction. So the most useful thing you can do, right away, is get free legal help while there's still time to act or look for other help.
This page walks through where to find a free lawyer in Kern County, financial resources to prevent an eviction, and where to turn for help getting back into housing if you've already lost your place. If you're not being evicted and simply need help covering the rent, that's a different kind of help — see our page on rent assistance in Bakersfield and Kern County.
Legal aid may help stop an eviction
If you've gotten an eviction notice or court papers in Kern County, you can get a lawyer for free. Start there, and start today. The place to call is Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, or GBLA. Their number is 661-325-5943, or 888-292-4252 if that's long distance for you. Tell them what's happening, and they'll figure out how they can help. Call right away as you don't have much time or see the GBLA website at https://gbla.org/.
Once your landlord files in court and you get the papers, you only have a short window to answer them. Usually about ten days, not counting weekends. The papers will tell you your exact deadline. If you miss it, you can lose without ever seeing a judge — so the sooner you call, the more a lawyer can do.
One more thing to know. Your landlord cannot put you out on their own. They can't change the locks, move your things, or shut off your power or water to make you leave. Only the sheriff can do that, and only after a judge says so. Until then, you have the right to stay and fight it. The worst move is to ignore the papers.
What GBLA can do for you: GBLA helps renters all over Kern County fight an eviction. It doesn't matter whether your landlord has a lawyer or not. They can speak for you in court, work out a deal with your landlord, or stand with you at trial. They can also help while you still just have a notice, before it ever reaches court. That's often the best time to call.
They have help for specific situations, too — if you're 60 or older, if you're a veteran, or if you live in a mobile home or trailer. GBLA also runs a help desk inside the courthouse on Truxtun Avenue. Someone there can walk you through your paperwork or help you settle without a trial. You can also find them at gbla.org.
If you live outside Bakersfield
Kern County is big, and a lot of people rent out in the farm towns. If you're in Delano, Arvin, Lamont, or nearby, California Rural Legal Assistance can help with evictions and your rights as a renter. They work with farmworker families and have staff who speak Spanish and other languages. Call the Delano office at 661-725-4350 or the Arvin office at 661-854-3839. Their statewide line is 800-337-0690.
If your eviction is about back rent
Sometimes paying off what you owe can stop the eviction. That's a different kind of help, and we cover it on other parts of the site. If you get CalWORKs, or think you might qualify, the county may be able to help — see our guide to Kern County DHS benefits. For other places that help with rent or a deposit, see our Bakersfield and Kern County rent help page. Tell your lawyer if you're trying to get this money. It only helps if it comes through before the court rules, so the timing matters.
If you've already lost your home
If you're already out — in a shelter, your car, a motel, or on someone's couch — there's a way back into housing. In Kern County, you start by dialing 2-1-1. It's a free local line that connects you to the area's housing programs through one shared sign-up, so you don't have to call a dozen places yourself.
One kind of help is called rapid rehousing. It's short-term money to get you into a place, plus a caseworker who stays with you for a while so you can keep it. The Bakersfield Homeless Center (website: https://www.cityofbakersfieldhomelesshub.us/) does this work and also helps people living on the street. Reach them at 661-322-9199.
If what you need first is a bed for tonight or a longer-term shelter, see our page on shelters and temporary housing in Kern County.
The main thing
Don't wait. If you've been served with court papers, every day counts. Call GBLA at 661-325-5943, or California Rural Legal Assistance if you're out in the county, and get someone on your side while there's still time. In addition, the best thing to do is seek help to pay for housing - before an eviction has been filed.
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