CAPK Veterans & Supportive Services
Last updated August 2026
Veterans facing eviction or homelessness in Kern County have a program built for exactly that. CAPK's Veterans & Supportive Services covers rental assistance to prevent homelessness (SSVF), short-term and transitional housing, and permanent supportive housing. A case manager walks with you through the whole process.
The first call goes to (661) 336-5236. Expect intake questions about your military service, your housing situation right now, who's in the household, and income. The programs qualify veterans on low income plus housing instability, so those answers drive everything. From there a case manager owns the file with you. The real difference between this and one-time check-cutting is that someone follows the plan through with you.
Speed depends on which piece you need. Rental assistance exists to stop homelessness before it happens, so if there's an eviction notice or a court date, say so in the first call; deadlines change how fast things move. Transitional and permanent supportive housing run on availability. Ask your case manager for honest expectations instead of guessing.
Gather proof of military service before intake. Discharge paperwork is the document every veterans program asks about. Missing it? Ask the intake worker how to proceed rather than waiting until you find it.
For the benefits side of veteran life (disability compensation, pensions, education), the Kern County Veterans Service Department files VA claims free at (661) 868-7300. And if tonight is the problem, M Street Navigation Center takes people in 24/7, pets included.
Phone (661) 336-5236
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Veterans and veteran families in Kern County
- Low-income and experiencing or at risk of homelessness
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Do I have to already be homeless to get help?
No. The program serves veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of it. Call (661) 336-5236 before things reach that point.
Does CAPK's veteran program cover my family?
Yes. It serves veterans and veteran families, with low income and housing instability as the qualifying factors.
What is SSVF?
It's the rental-assistance piece of the program, aimed at preventing homelessness before it starts. Ask for it by name when you call.
What does the case manager actually do?
They stay on your case from intake through housing: paperwork, program applications, and the plan to keep you housed after the assistance ends. Treat them as your single point of contact and tell them when anything changes.
How fast can rent help arrive if I have an eviction notice?
Preventing homelessness is the design, but the honest answer depends on your case. Lead with the deadline when you call (661) 336-5236 and ask directly what's possible before your court date.
What paperwork should I gather first?
Proof of military service tops the list (discharge paperwork like the DD-214), plus whatever documents your housing crisis: a landlord notice, a court date, income proof. Come with what you have; intake sorts the rest.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
See all Bakersfield / Kern County, CA programs →Free · Private · No account needed