Housing
Learn about housing programs and services
2023-2031 Housing Element
Annual Progress Report
2023 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
2024 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
2025 Housing Element Annual Progress Report
Updated, Adopted, and Certified!
Carmel-by-the-Sea 6th Cycle Housing Element (2023-2031)
Please visit our Long-Range Planning Initiatives page for background information on the 6th-cycle 2023-2031 housing element update, including its adoption by the City Council and certification by the State Department of Housing and Community Development.
Post-Adoption Housing Element Amendment
On July 9, 2024, the City Council adopted Resolution 2024-062, directing staff to explore and develop alternative affordable housing sites and programs to inform an amendment to the adopted Housing Element that would remove the need for housing units at the Sunset Center and Vista Lobos properties.
Improve and Expand Strategies
The post-adoption Housing Element amendment focuses on improving and expanding adopted Housing Element programs in the following areas: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Religious Institutions, Hotel-to-Residential Conversions, and Downtown Housing Sites.
Draft Amendment Submitted to HCD for Review
On November 13, 2026, a draft Housing Element Amendment was submitted to the State Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) for review. Below are the sections of the adopted Housing Element that contain revisions as part of the Amendment. All other sections remain unchanged.
Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Goals, Policies, and Programs (redlined)
Chapter 2 Goals, Policies, and Programs (clean)
Appendix A Housing Needs and Fair Housing Report
Appendix
B Housing Constraints
Appendix
C Sites Inventory
On January 13, 2026, HCD provided a comment letter on the draft Housing Element Amendment.
HCD Comment Letter dated January 13, 2026
Implementation: Objective Design and Development Standards
Community Meeting #1
January 14, 2026
Presentation
Video
Implementation: Proposed Municipal Code Amendments
Planning Commission Workshop
February 25, 2025
Presentation
Video
2025 State of California Income Limits
The Department of Housing and Community Development, Division of Housing Policy Development, has published the 2025 State Income Limits to reflect updated median income and household income levels for each County. Certain Federal and State programs use these limits to determine eligibility for affordable housing.
Accessory Dwelling Units / Subordinate Units
A Property Owner Question & Answer Guide:
Considering
an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) in Carmel-by-the-Sea (June
2025)
California Department of Housing and Community Development
Accessory
Dwelling Unit Handbook, January 2025, with Addendum dated
January 2026
California State Legislature
Government Code Section 65852.2
Agricultural Employees
Farmworker Resource Center Program
Usted puede contactar a Ana Vargas (VargasA3@countyofmonterey.gov)
que habla español y inglés.
Farm Worker Hotline
(831) 809-2394
The Center for
Community Advocacy
CCA provides education, orientation, and legal support to
farmworkers and other low-income working families seeking to
establish neighborhood committees to improve housing and health
conditions.
Fair Housing Services
U.S. Department of Housing and Community
Development, Office of Fair Housing and Equal
Opportunity: Fair Housing
booklet
To file a housing discrimination complaint, https://www.hud.gov/fairhousing/fileacomplaint
ECHO Fair Housing Services
https://www.echofairhousing.org/fair-housing-services.html
Legal Services for Seniors
https://www.lssmc.net/
California Rural Legal Assistance
https://crla.org/
Central Coast Center for Independent Living
https://www.cccil.org/
Center for Community Advocacy
https://cca-viva.org/
April HUD Fair Housing Month
Fair Housing Month | HUD.gov /
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
California Tenants and Landlords’ Rights and
Responsibilities
Resources – Tenant (ca.gov)
HUD Housing Assistance
Need
Housing Assistance? – HUD Exchange
Homeless Services
Monterey County Homeless Services Resource Guide (October
2024)
Guía De Recursos De Servicios Para Personas Sin Hogar Del Condado
De Monterey (Octubre 2024)
Housing Rehabilitation
2 1 1 / United Way Monterey County:
Home Rehabilitation Programs
Reasonable Accommodation Procedure
On September 9, 2025, the City Council adopted Resolution 2025-81, updating the Reasonable Accommodation Policy as an implementing measure for the 6th-cycle Housing Element.
City Council Policy C11-01, Reasonable Accommodation, updated 9/9/2025
Resources from The Housing Authority of the County of Monterey
Affordable
Rental Housing Resource Guide
Housing Choice
Voucher Program
Accessible
Housing for Persons with Disabilities
Service Providers
2-1-1 Monterey County is a United Way of Monterey County program that provides comprehensive information and referral services for Monterey County.
Alliance on
Aging is a nonprofit provider of senior services in
Monterey County that offers a range of programs, including
Medicare Counseling & Education (HICAP), Senior Peer Counseling,
Nursing Home Information & Advocacy, Tax Counseling for the
Elderly, Benefits Checkup, and a monthly Senior Outreach Luncheon
in Salinas.
2025-2026
Monterey County Senior Resource List
2025-2026
Condado de Monterey recursos para personas de la tercera
edad
Central Coast Center for Independent Living promotes the independence of people with disabilities by supporting their equal and full participation in life. CCCIL provides advocacy, education, and support to people with disabilities, their families, and the community.
Community Housing Improvement Systems and Planning Association, Inc. (CHISPA) is a private nonprofit housing developer based in Monterey County. CHISPA manages all of its apartment buildings and provides on-site educational and recreational programs for residents in partnership with local community organizations, including the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of Monterey County, Read to Me Project, Alisal Percussion, Arts Council for Monterey County, and Alliance on Aging.
Community Human Services (CHS) is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing high-quality mental health, substance abuse, and homeless services to Monterey County residents, helping them reach their full potential.
Housing Resource Center (HRC) of Monterey County. The mission of the Housing Resource Center (HRC) of Monterey County is to provide a continuum of housing resources to prevent homelessness and expand affordable housing opportunities. HRC fosters community stability, strengthens communities, and empowers individuals economically through education, advocacy, counseling, and services.
HUD Exchange, Housing and Homeless Assistance
Interim, Inc. is a private nonprofit organization that provides a unique combination of support services, housing, and treatment for adults with mental illness in Monterey County. Services provided include affordable supportive housing, residential treatment, mental health and dual recovery services, case coordination, therapeutic services, outreach, and intensive support for homeless adults, supported education and employment, day treatment, and peer support.
MidPen Housing is a nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of affordable housing in Northern California.
The Coalition of Homeless Service Providers’ mission is to eliminate homelessness in Monterey and San Benito Counties by promoting regional partnerships and interagency collaboration for a comprehensive system of housing for our diverse population.
Veterans Transition Center of California is a nonprofit that empowers Veterans to transition from crisis to self-sufficiency. VTC operates out of the old Fort Ord complex and provides homeless Veterans and their families with food, clothing, case management, life skills, substance abuse counseling, benefit enrollment, medical referrals, employment training, and housing.