Bakersfield is set to receive $537,127 as part of a $100 million emergency grant to help the homeless during the coronavirus pandemic. Kern County will receive $238,464. It is part of SB 89 that was signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on March 17th.

The bill was approved unanimously by the state legislature.

The Consumer Services and Housing Agency announced Monday that the state "has awarded $100 million in emergency grant funding to California counties, Continuums of Care, and the state's 13 largest cities to help protect the health and safety of people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic."

"The fast action by the legislature in approving this funding has been matched by the swift action taken by our Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council to get this money out the door and to the local jurisdictions where it's needed," said Governor Newsom. "This is money that will be immediately available to help those who are homeless – among the most vulnerable to COVID-19."

The funding is meant to provide medical services and supplies meant to contain and prevent the spread of COVID-19. It can also be used for among many things shelters, supplies for emergency shelter operations, and aquiring locations to place homeless individuals affected by the coronavirus.