2023-2031 Housing Element

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

Housing Element Implementation

Objective Design and Development Standards

Community Meeting #1
January 14, 2026
Presentation
Video

Proposed Municipal Code Amendments

Planning Commission Workshop
February 25, 2025
Presentation
Video

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Coming Soon!

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

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, providing 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.

Alliance on Aging 2022 Monterey County Senior Resource List

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 their apartment buildings and provides onsite 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 to help 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 for homeless prevention and affordable housing opportunities. HRC fosters community stability, stronger communities, and personal economic empowerment 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.

United Way of Monterey County 

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.

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

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

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 who want to establish neighborhood committees that work to improve housing and health conditions.