BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A long-vacant motel on Union Avenue in Bakersfield will be converted into permanent supportive housing after the city secured more than $14 million in state funding aimed at addressing homelessness.

The City of Bakersfield was awarded more than $14 million in state funding toward the Ramkabir Permanent Housing Project. PHOTO: City of Bakersfield

The City of Bakersfield was awarded more than $14 million in state funding toward the Ramkabir Permanent Housing Project. PHOTO: City of Bakersfield

The City of Bakersfield said the grant will support the Ramkabir Permanent Housing Project at 901 Union Ave., turning the former motel into 30 units of permanent supportive housing.

Fifteen of the units will be reserved for veterans who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have behavioral health needs.

The project is a partnership between the city and Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK).

The funding comes through California’s Homekey+ program and is part of a nearly $110 million Proposition 1 investment announced Thursday by Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office.

The City of Bakersfield was awarded more than $14 million in state funding toward the Ramkabir Permanent Housing Project. PHOTO: City of Bakersfield

The City of Bakersfield was awarded more than $14 million in state funding toward the Ramkabir Permanent Housing Project. PHOTO: City of Bakersfield

CAPK Executive Director Pritika Ram said the organization and the city have been working on the Homekey+ application since late 2024.

“We’ve been working alongside the City of Bakersfield since about the end of 2024, beginning of 2025 on this application to HCD for Homekey+,” Ram said. “It’s an effort to bring in permanent housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness, as well as veterans that are homeless.”

The announcement drew criticism on social media from some people who questioned the $14 million investment.

Bakersfield City Councilmember Andrae Gonzales said the money is not coming from local taxpayers.

“I think it’s important for us to celebrate that these aren’t local dollars,” Gonzales said. “These are state dollars that are coming into our community and we need to utilize them and maximize them.”

Gonzales said Union Avenue has carried a disproportionate share of Bakersfield’s homelessness crisis for years and that the former motel has become a longstanding problem after multiple fires and years of sitting vacant.

“It’s just been sitting here,” Gonzales said.

The City of Bakersfield was awarded more than $14 million in state funding toward the Ramkabir Permanent Housing Project. PHOTO: City of Bakersfield

The City of Bakersfield was awarded more than $14 million in state funding toward the Ramkabir Permanent Housing Project. PHOTO: City of Bakersfield

He said the city purchased the property using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds so it could determine the site’s future rather than leaving it in private ownership.

“The City of Bakersfield was able to fund, through our federal ARPA funds, the purchase of this property,” Gonzales said.

Gonzales said the project will require more than cosmetic upgrades because several units suffered fire damage and need extensive repairs.

“$10.6 million or so actually goes to the construction of the unit,” Gonzales said. “But there are additional needs. I mean this is a building that has been struck with a fire. Several units are fire damaged and need complete renovation in terms of electrical, plumbing and there’s so many other issues here.”

Ram also addressed questions about the cost, saying most of the funding will go toward rehabilitating the property.

“A majority of the funds will be used for the rehab portion of the project,” Ram said.

She said the grant also supports a 15-year commitment to operate the housing, including staffing, wraparound services, security and maintenance.

“So some of those funds are going to be used for paying for staffing, wraparound services, security services, and general maintenance and operations,” Ram said. “It’s a 15-year commitment, so it’s a long one for us.”

Ram said future residents will be selected through Kern County’s Coordinated Entry System, which connects people experiencing or at risk of homelessness with permanent housing.

She said reserving half the units for veterans builds on CAPK’s expanded veteran services after absorbing the California Veterans Assistance Foundation in 2025.

In addition to housing, residents will have access to case management, behavioral health services, health care coordination and employment assistance.

Ram said having services available in one location can help people stay housed.

“Sometimes folks don’t know which door to go to,” Ram said. “We’re hoping to make this a much easier access point for individuals experiencing homelessness.”