2025–26 After School Education and Safety grant program (Round 2)
🏛 CA Department of Education (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 9, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for multifamily housing developers and nonprofits seeking to build or rehabilitate permanent affordable rental housing in Los Angeles County. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public agencies, community land trusts, and experienced housing developers. Projects must serve lower-income households and be located in areas impacted by January 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires. The programs support new construction, rehabilitation, conversion, and preservation of rental housing, with some programs prioritizing supportive housing or transit proximity.
Funding is available through five programs: Multifamily Housing Program (loans for construction and rehabilitation), Supportive Housing Multifamily Program (loans with supportive services), Transit-Oriented Development Program (loans near transit), Infrastructure Grant Program (gap funding for infrastructure), and Veterans Housing Program (loans for veteran housing).
Applicants must demonstrate development capacity, community need, and financial viability. Projects must comply with California affordable housing requirements and serve designated income levels.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program is the result of the 2002 voter-approved initiative, Proposition 49. These programs are created through partnerships between schools and local community resources to provide literacy, academic enrichment and safe, constructive alternatives for students in kindergarten through ninth grade. Funding is designed to: (1) maintain existing before and after school program funding; and (2) provide eligibility to all elementary and middle schools that submit quality applications throughout California. This is round 2 of the 2025-26 ASES Request for Applications.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Affordable Housing Developer
- Community Land Trust
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NOFA application form (program-specific)
- Project narrative and development plan
- Financial pro forma and sources and uses of funds
- Evidence of site control
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Development team qualifications
- Community engagement plan
- Environmental documentation
- Supportive services plan (if applicable)
Program contact
- 📧 ExpandedLearning@cde.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-319-0923
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-2026 | 58 | 36 | 62% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this funding?
Nonprofits, public agencies, developers, and community land trusts can apply. Applicants must have experience in multifamily housing development and strong financial management.
Where can projects be located?
Only projects in Los Angeles County impacted by January 2025 wildfires are eligible. Projects must serve lower-income households.
What activities does this fund support?
The NOFA funds new construction, rehabilitation, conversion, and preservation of permanent affordable rental housing. Infrastructure improvements supporting housing development are also eligible.
What is the typical funding amount per award?
Awards vary by program. This NOFA distributes approximately $101 million total across five programs, but specific per-project amounts are not specified in the announcement.
When is the deadline?
This NOFA uses rolling acceptance. Specific deadline dates are not provided in the announcement, so applicants should contact HCD for submission windows.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with HCD's detailed NOFA documents. They contain specific program requirements, eligible activities, and application procedures for each of the five funding programs.
- Demonstrate strong project readiness. Include evidence of site control, community support, and a realistic development timeline with experienced contractors.
- Target the right program for your project. Each of the five programs has different requirements—ensure your project aligns with one program's specific criteria.
- Address wildfire recovery directly. Emphasize how your project serves communities impacted by January 2025 wildfires and contributes to housing stability in affected areas.
- Build a complete development team. Include experienced developers, architects, financial advisors, and property managers to strengthen competitiveness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applying with projects outside Los Angeles County or not impacted by the specified wildfires. Projects must directly serve disaster-affected areas and populations.
Underestimating infrastructure and soft costs. Many applicants fail to adequately budget for necessary improvements or planning expenses, reducing funding available for actual construction.
Weak community engagement documentation. Reviewers prioritize projects demonstrating strong ties to local communities and evidence of input from residents or advocacy organizations.
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