"The Planning and Community Development Department is dedicated to serving the diverse needs of Kern County residents, primarily those with lower incomes, by improving their economic environmental and social quality of life. We achieve this through projects and programs that revitalize neighborhoods by providing safer living environments, decent and affordable housing, public facilities and improvements, and expanded employment opportunities."

This mission is carried out in local neighborhoods and communities within the County's entitlement jurisdiction of unincorporated Kern County and the incorporated cooperative agreement cities of Arvin, California City, McFarland, Ridgecrest, Shafter and Tehachapi. The City of Bakersfield is an entitlement jurisdiction of its own. Its program is administered by the City of Bakersfield's Economic and Community Development Department.

The following types of activities are provided by the County's Community and Economic Development Department:

The Planning and Community Development Department is responsible for working with County residents (principally those with low or moderate incomes) to assess local needs, and plan and implement projects and programs to meet those needs. Citizen participation is strongly encouraged. A summary of needs and strategies to address them are summarized in a Consolidated Community Development Plan once every five years. Specific projects and programs to implement the strategies described in the Plan are included in an Annual Action Plan. The current Consolidated Plan, Action Plan, and Consolidated Annual Performance Report are available for review at all Kern County Libraries, County Administrative Centers in the outlying areas, County Administrative Building at 1115 Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield, Cooperative Agreement Cities (see above) in the County's entitlement jurisdiction, and at the Planning and Community Development Department at the address above.