The homeless population has gone up nine percent in Kern County.

The Point in Time Count from the Kern County Homeless Collaborative found 885 people do not have a permanent place to live, and Jessica Janssen with United Way believes the closing of two shelters in Bakersfield last year is driving that increase. However, the number of homeless veterans did go down.

The count is done every year to qualify us for $5 Million in federal grants to fight the problem.

Kelli Pierce