CityServe housing project to start construction

Jul. 18—A lot of activity is expected outside the CityServe F Street headquarters over the next couple of months, but not in the way you might think.

In fact, the two, four-story affordable housing apartment buildings expected there are already constructed. According to Crissy Cochran, a spokesperson for CityServe, the two sit, disassembled, in a Bay Area warehouse.

In the coming months, local builders will prepare the dirt lot — foundations, plumbing and other utility hookups — for when in the early fall, semi-trucks haul the two modular buildings, piece by piece, south from San Francisco to the construction site, where they will be linked together.

This comes after more than a year of planning among the faith-based nonprofit CityServe, city officials and the Housing Authority of the County of Kern, who joined in the announcement Tuesday.

"We are pleased to partner with CityServe to provide quality affordable housing for Bakersfield residents," said Stephen Pelz, executive director of the Housing Authority. "The need is great and Elevate will help meet this need."

Located in the former CityServe parking lot at 3201 F St., the two buildings will together offer 126 one-bedroom units to those who are currently homeless but are looking to transition into regular housing.

Thirty-six units will be set aside for foster youth applicants, aged 18-25, who have transitioned out of care.

A vetting process established by CityServe and various partners will fill vacancies with people who are ready to take the next step in exiting homelessness and meet necessary criteria: an income below 30% the city's median income and a housing voucher secured from the Housing Authority of the County of Kern.

"We look forward to how Elevate will soon shape the future of our downtown community for a better and more vibrant neighborhood as we elevate people to live their purpose," said Karl Hargestam, CityServe Network executive director. "It's been a monumental effort to help people in Kern County with an innovative building project combined with a comprehensive, supportive approach."

According to a news release from CityServe, the site will offer wraparound services, which include: case management, income support, employment readiness, job skill development, family reunification, substance abuse treatment, relapse prevention, family counseling and personal development coaching.

"How to be a friend, how to set goals for yourself," Cochran listed. "The sequences of success... There's a population out there that hasn't been taught these things and they can get that support through these programs."

While many rules are not yet finalized, Cochran said occupants will stay an average of 18 months, and can be allowed an extension if they make gains but are not quite ready to leave. For those who do successfully transition, there will likely be dedicated staff to follow up with them, similar to a social worker.

"They're going to need help navigating life's difficulties," Cochran said. "In the first years of moving out of my parent's house, if things didn't go right I always had a home base. These folks are going to also need a home base and people to help them."

While not a new concept to Californians, modular housing at this scale is unprecedented, at least in Kern County.

Renderings obtained by the city of Bakersfield last month depict the project will have one 43,775-square-foot building running north and south along F Street, and another 26,696-square-foot building to the immediate south that will run east and west, according to past reports.

CityServe, which was awarded a $30 million grant in 2022, had always intended on using modular housing to save on construction time and material costs.

At a fraction of the cost, modular homes can be built six to 18 months faster than traditional methods. And once completed, officials are certain the buildings will be almost indistinguishable from conventionally built counterparts — complete with a stucco exterior, metal siding and vinyl windows.

The gated facility will also have around-the-clock security and surveillance, which Cochran said has helped address some safety concerns from nearby residents.

"We want to be uplifting to this (street) corner," Cochran said. "But we also have a commitment to make sure that it's safe for our neighbors."

While a date is not set, Cochran said that CityServe plans in the near future to host a private open house specifically with nearby residents and businesses, to show their plans, take feedback and assuage concerns. In the past few months, CityServe has met with nearby business owners and received feedback.

"I want us to have an open and safe dialogue with them that is ongoing," Cochran said. "Because once we start having residents here, we're all going to have to help each other."

For more information, go to elevatekern.com.