BAKERSFIELD, CA - In an effort to reduce homelessness in our community, volunteers are conducting a survey. The Kern County Homeless Collaborative will begin its census Thursday -- counting the number of people who don't have a permanent place to stay.
In the last six years, the Kern County Homeless Collaborative estimates the number of people who are homeless has gone from more than 1,500 to less than 1,000.
The collaborative is made up of non-profit organizations, service providers, policymakers and businesses working to end homelessness in Kern County.
Thursday and Friday, More than 200 volunteers will go to local shelters and out in the community, to gather information. They'll be on the bike path, looking under overpasses to make sure everyone gets counted.
The goal isn't just counting -- it's making a connection.
Homeless Census Chair Heather Kimmel said, "We need to try and find out their age, if they have any disabilities, if they have any history of substance abuse, any history of criminal offenses. It's not that we want to know this information about that person specifically, but we want to find out information about our homeless population as a whole and where gaps in services might be."
Executive Director Mission at Kern County Executive Director Carlos Baldovinos said, "It gives us an opportunity to give better services and to understand their needs a little bit better."
Baldovinos says he believes an increase in permanent housing opportunities has helped to reduce homelessness in our county.
While the overall number of people who are homeless has significantly decreased, the number of homeless children has only slightly dipped in the last few years. In 2007, the census estimated there were 192 homeless children in Kern County -- last year, there were 177.
In the last six years, the Kern County Homeless Collaborative estimates the number of people who are homeless has gone from more than 1,500 to less than 1,000.
The collaborative is made up of non-profit organizations, service providers, policymakers and businesses working to end homelessness in Kern County.
Thursday and Friday, More than 200 volunteers will go to local shelters and out in the community, to gather information. They'll be on the bike path, looking under overpasses to make sure everyone gets counted.
The goal isn't just counting -- it's making a connection.
Homeless Census Chair Heather Kimmel said, "We need to try and find out their age, if they have any disabilities, if they have any history of substance abuse, any history of criminal offenses. It's not that we want to know this information about that person specifically, but we want to find out information about our homeless population as a whole and where gaps in services might be."
Executive Director Mission at Kern County Executive Director Carlos Baldovinos said, "It gives us an opportunity to give better services and to understand their needs a little bit better."
Baldovinos says he believes an increase in permanent housing opportunities has helped to reduce homelessness in our county.
While the overall number of people who are homeless has significantly decreased, the number of homeless children has only slightly dipped in the last few years. In 2007, the census estimated there were 192 homeless children in Kern County -- last year, there were 177.