Independent Living Center of Kern County

About ILCKC

Independent Living Center of Kern County (ILCKC) celebrates empowerment and inclusion for people with disabilities. Through our various services and programs, our staff offer a hand up for people with disabilities, aging adults, and individuals with access and functional needs to live as independently as possible in order to obtain the best quality of life.

About our Ambition

The Independent Living Center of Kern County (ILCKC) will obtain a permanent, accessible facility to serve as our headquarters and primary service delivery hub. This facility will enhance our capacity to provide high-quality services, support long-term financial sustainability, and improve accessibility for the over 75,000 people with disabilities in Kern County. 

Why We are Doing It

Currently, we lease our facility, which poses limitations:

• Rising lease costs strain operating budgets and reduce financial predictability.
• Insufficient space to support program growth, equipment storage, staff expansion, and community events.
• Lack of permanence disrupts service continuity and reduces community visibility.
• Owning a building gives the agency greater control and flexibility while also creating a long-term asset

Strategic Benefits

1. Enhanced Service Delivery

• Improve privacy, confidentiality, and service flow for consumers
• Expand in-house capacity for AT repair and reuse, emergency preparedness, and independent living skills services. 

2. Improved Access

• Ensure full functional access and ADA compliance in building layout and signage
• Design with universal design principles from the outset

3. Financial Sustainability

• Eliminate long-term leasing costs
• Increase asset value and organizational equity
• Offer opportunities for rental income and/or co-location with partners

4. Community Visibility and Trust

• Establish a lasting presence in Kern County
• Strengthen ILCKC’s identity as a disability rights leader