Council approves $2.5 million from Affordable Housing Trust Fund for new Open Door Network shelter campus
February 26, 2026 | Bakersfield, Kern County, California
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The Bakersfield City Council voted Feb. 25 to approve a $2.5 million allocation from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to the Open Door Network to support construction of a consolidated family shelter campus.
Lauren Skidmore, representing Open Door Network, told the council the project is roughly 50% into construction on a renovated city‑block site and will consolidate programs into a 74,000‑square‑foot campus with administration, licensed childcare, dining, dorms and a two‑story dorm/wellness center. The campus is designed to expand capacity from about 230 beds to more than 330–350 beds and add a transitional wellness wing intended to support hospital discharges, detox alternatives and on‑site therapy.
Skidmore said the project's capital stack includes about $29.5 million in private funds (New Markets Tax Credits, philanthropy and the organization's funds) and roughly $16 million in government funds, for a total project budget of about $46.5 million. The $2.5 million appropriation before council is part of previously appropriated portions of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and other budget actions.
Council members asked detailed questions about milestones, operating‑cost risk for the city and how the city would ensure delivery. City staff said withholding funds until final occupancy would increase project costs and interest on bridge loans; staff recommended milestone‑based disbursements and the council approved the agreement that includes benchmarks. Councilmember Arias and others stressed the need for accountability and for partners to present measurable outcomes; Councilmember Weir voted no, citing tight city fiscal conditions.
The motion to approve the funding passed with Councilmember Weir opposed and Councilmember Gonzales absent.
What happens next: staff will manage the disbursement per the agreement's milestones and return any required monitoring or reporting documents as specified in the agreement.
Lauren Skidmore, representing Open Door Network, told the council the project is roughly 50% into construction on a renovated city‑block site and will consolidate programs into a 74,000‑square‑foot campus with administration, licensed childcare, dining, dorms and a two‑story dorm/wellness center. The campus is designed to expand capacity from about 230 beds to more than 330–350 beds and add a transitional wellness wing intended to support hospital discharges, detox alternatives and on‑site therapy.
Skidmore said the project's capital stack includes about $29.5 million in private funds (New Markets Tax Credits, philanthropy and the organization's funds) and roughly $16 million in government funds, for a total project budget of about $46.5 million. The $2.5 million appropriation before council is part of previously appropriated portions of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and other budget actions.
Council members asked detailed questions about milestones, operating‑cost risk for the city and how the city would ensure delivery. City staff said withholding funds until final occupancy would increase project costs and interest on bridge loans; staff recommended milestone‑based disbursements and the council approved the agreement that includes benchmarks. Councilmember Arias and others stressed the need for accountability and for partners to present measurable outcomes; Councilmember Weir voted no, citing tight city fiscal conditions.
The motion to approve the funding passed with Councilmember Weir opposed and Councilmember Gonzales absent.
What happens next: staff will manage the disbursement per the agreement's milestones and return any required monitoring or reporting documents as specified in the agreement.
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