BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) \u2014 Homelessness in Kern County increased by 3.2% from 2025 to 2026, and shelters like the Mission of Kern are responding with a new approach: treatment first, housing last.<\/p>\n
The White House approved a new homeless addiction recovery plan last Wednesday. It highlights prioritizing drug treatment for unhoused residents to help them gain clarity before considering broader financial considerations, such as their housing situation.<\/p>\n
James Copley, a recovery advocate, says his past struggle with drugs could have cost him his life.<\/p>\n
“When I left, my wife was scared of me, she hated my guts, my mom was scared to death of me and my kids thought I was a weirdo,” Copley said.<\/p>\n
Copley’s story of lasting sobriety is rare, but he credits programs like the one at the Mission of Kern.<\/p>\n
“I remember I got out of jail on day 8, and on day 9 I was at the Mission. Day 27 I was into the men’s discipleship program and at 16 months I graduated the program and earned the privilege to go live back at home,” Copley said.<\/p>\n
Volunteers and advocates say recovery is often non-linear. Carlos Baldovinos, the executive director of the Mission of Kern, says every person who comes through the doors faces a unique set of challenges.<\/p>\n
“Every person who comes in that’s unhoused has a different set of challenges. We understand that….we have to meet them at where they’re at,” Baldovinos said.<\/p>\n
Advocates believe helping people heal from the inside out is key to keeping them from returning to the streets.<\/p>\n
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.<\/p>\n
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