BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Homeless Collaborative has reported a 50 percent increase in homeless persons during their annual Point in Time count.

They reported that 1,330 homeless persons were counted countywide in shelters and on the streets during their annual count which occurred on January 30.

This is a 50 percent increase in the number of homeless people counted from 2018 and there was also a 49 percent increase in the number of volunteers that participated in the count.

The homeless sub populations which reflected increases over the last year include: Families with children, veterans and youth.