Frequently Asked Questions

Please click here for the Project Application FAQ.

For a property to be eligible for funding under CAF, it must have been vacant for 2 years or longer; you cannot already own the property; and it must be located in a High or Highest COVID-19 Vulnerability and Recovery Index census tract as identified on the LA County Equity Explorer map.

CAF funds are only eligible to be used for acquisition costs. Costs related to repairs, improvements, and other project-related costs will need to be separately funded. Project proposals will be evaluated based on the feasibility and likelihood of the proposed project achieving the projected results. Additional fees related to acquisition are included in the acquisition costs of properties, however we recommend having additional monies available in the event that the grant is not sufficient to cover the purchase.

The property needs to be zoned for commercial use now.

The goal is acquisition of commercial property and revitalization of commercial properties with commercial retail space for local small businesses. A QAE is eligible to acquire a property under the CAF program and occupy the property for their own use to serve the community or provide goods and services to the community but it must include space for small businesses to occupy in addition to the nonprofit space.

LA CAF acquired properties can be sod but the new buyer must comply with the 55-year covenant and be owners for the term of the loan.

Timeline will be assessed based on size and complexity of project on a case-by-case basis. Our expectation is to get a project off the ground as soon as possible.

If the parking lot is operated as a formal parking lot with a formal designation by local jurisdiction for the use of a parking lot, then it is not considered vacant or if there were profits being made from the parking.

Intention is for the main floor to be occupied by small businesses as most of it should be commercial retail space or a community serving nonprofit.

To be a small business it must be independently owned and operated; Not dominant in field of operation; Principal office located in California; Owners (officers, if a corporation) domiciled in California; and, Including affiliates, be either, A business with 100 or fewer employees; an average annual gross receipt of $16 million or less, over the last three tax years; A manufacturer* with 100 or fewer employees; or, A micro business – a small business will automatically be designated as a micro business, if gross annual receipts are $5,000,000 or less; or the small business is a manufacturer with 25 or fewer employees.

The CAF program does not provide a list of properties that meet the program requirements. Qualifying Acquisition Entities (QAE) must identify their own properties and verify that the property meets the program's location requirements to be in a High or Highest COVID-19 Vulnerability and Recovery Index census tract as identified on the LA County Equity Explorer map.

If you would like to become a LA County Certified business, please visit this site: https://iddweb.isd.lacounty.gov/DCA_eComplaint/SmallBusinessCertifications, but this is not a requirement.