Street Vendor Technical Assistance Pilot

Helping street vendors navigate permitting processes and ensure public health compliance.

Key Impact

500+ street vendors served
1600 points of contact
200 outreach events

The COVID-19 crisis deeply impacted small local businesses and entrepreneurs in Los Angeles. One of the most vulnerable groups within this business ecosystem throughout the pandemic has been the sidewalk vendor community. The challenges with formalizing an informal sector coupled with the devastating impact of the pandemic and the dearth of dedicated funding to assist this community have created significant obstacles for vendors to complete the process of obtaining permits and business licenses to comply with vending and public health requirements. The Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles supported a 6-month pilot with the City’s 8 BusinessSource Centers to provide technical assistance for over 500 sidewalk vendors throughout the City. Each BusinessSource Center provided one-on-one, in-the-field assistance to help vendors apply for, secure, and/or renew vendor permits; complete the public health compliance process; attain a L.A. City Business Tax Registration Certificate; and conduct the outreach necessary to ensure this community has access to key business resources and services. A total of 362 clients enrolled in trainings with women representing more than half of those served. More than 1,600 points of contact occurred across the program to support street vendors in meaningful and tangible ways.

Issue Area

Disaster Relief & Recovery, Economic Development

Partners

BusinessSource Centers, City of Los Angeles
Mayor’s Office of Economic Development

Programs Similar to Street Vendor Technical Assistance Pilot