BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Bakersfield City Council voted six to one Wednesday to award a $3 million contract to the operator of a new homeless center.

Mercy House has its base in Orange County, but manages various shelters throughout California and Arizona has been selected to operate the new center set open this fall.

According to the City Council, Mercy House was selected due to their combination of direct “low barrier” shelter experience, appropriate budget and strong track record for permanent housing placement. Mercy House has more than 30 years’ experience in homeless service provision including emergency shelter, navigation centers, and housing services.

Supporting Medical and Mental Health services are anticipated to be provided through contracts with the County of Kern Behavioral Health Department and the Kern Medical Hospital Authority.

The new “low barrier” emergency shelter, to be known as the Bakersfield Homeless Navigation Center is set to be located at 1900 E. Brundage Lane. The objective of the BHNC is to provide shelter and high-impact wrap-around services to homeless adults so that they may stabilize their living situations, improve their mental and physical health, increase their independence, and move on to permanent stable housing.