Community Development
Lorelei H. Oviatt AICP, Director Phone: (661) 862-5050 FAX: (661) 862-5052 TTY Relay 1-800-735-2929 email: kerncd@kerncounty.com |
Public Services Building 2700 “M” Street., Suite 250 Bakersfield, CA 93301-2370 Monday – Friday 8:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M |
Our Mission
The Planning and Natural Resources Department provides consolidated land use planning and community development programs for the County’s residents. We are proud to fulfill a mission that fosters economic vitality, supports resource conservation, and serves the diverse needs of Kern County residents, including those with lower incomes, by improving their economic, environmental, and social quality of life. We achieve this through projects and programs that revitalize neighborhoods by providing safer living environments, decent and affordable housing, public facilities and improvements, and expanded employment opportunities.
In 2010, Community Development was made a Division of the Planning Department, which was then renamed the Planning and Community Development Department (PCDD), then again to the Planning and Natural Resources Department (PLNR). The Community Development Division (CD) consists of three components: Planning, Fiscal/Agreements & Compliance, and Housing. CD administers the federal HUD grants for the County, including Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home Investment Partnership (HOME), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and Neighborhood Stabilization Programs (NSP) Funds.
For Economic Development Programs See: Kern County Economic Development and Kern Economic Development Corporation
New Items/Public Notice/Applications
- Request for Release of Funds – Potomac Railroad Crossing Pedestrian Path Improvements – CD Project No. 5.22.1
- Request for Release of Funds – Weldon Vista Grande Area Road Improvements – CD Project No. 28.23.1
- Public Meeting Notice – Proposed Substantial Amendments to the County Fiscal Years (FYs) 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 Annual Action Plan for Community Development Programs
- Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds – CD Project No. 17.22.1 – City of Ridgecrest – Leroy Jackson Skatepark Improvements Project, and; CD Project 17.23.1 – City of Ridgecrest – Leroy Jackson Park Sports Softball Shade Improvements Project
- Kern County Federal Emergency Solutions Grants FY 2024-2025 NOFA
- Notice of Public Hearing for Proposed Amendment to the County of Kern Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-24 Annual Action Plan Emergency Solutions Grants Program.
- County of Kern Final Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice 2023-2028 (Adopted by the BOS on December 5, 2023)
- FY 2024-2025 Annual Action Plan Meeting Notice
- County of Kern HOME-ARP Allocation Plan
Other Items
- Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) 2022-2023
- CAPER 22-23 (FINAL)
- FY 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan
- County Citizen Participation Plan, As Amended (Revised 5/24/2022)
- FY 2021-22 Annual Action Plan – Final
- COUNTY CITIZEN PARTICIPATION PLAN, AS AMENDED (Revised 10/6/2020)
- FY 2019-20 Annual Action Plan – Final
- Amended 2020-2021 Annual Action Plan and 2020-2025 Consolidated Plan (As Amended 9/26/2023)