Housing Element Updates
Welcome!
The 6th Cycle Housing Element Update (2023-2031) will identify where and how the City will accommodate existing and projected future housing needs. This page will be the center of online activity and residents are encouraged to visit frequently to engage in the process, find key documents, see upcoming meeting dates, provide feedback, and learn other information. It will be updated regularly throughout the Housing Element Update process, which will end in December 2023.
Make sure to subscribe to stay informed and receive the latest information on the update process. If you have questions about the housing element update, please be sure to read through the Housing Element Basics page.
We're on this housing journey together and we encourage everyone to get involved as we move forward.
Adopted Housing Element Reaches Substantial Compliance
On April 8, 2024, the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea City Council and Planning Commission adopted the 6th Cycle Housing Element. On April 25, 2024 the City received a Substantial Compliance Letter from HCD acknowledging the City's Adopted Housing Element is in compliance with State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code, § 65580 et seq). Click on the links below to view the City's Adopted Housing Element and HCD's Substantial Compliance Letter.
City of Carmel-by-the-Sea Adopted 6th Cycle Housing Element
HCD Substantial Compliance Letter
April 4, 2024: Revised Draft Housing Element
In response to HCD's 60-Day Findings Letter received by the City on March 20, 2024 and public comments received during the seven day public comment period, held from March 27 through April 2, 2024, City staff has finalized revisions to the draft housing element. Revisions in response to public comment were concise and focused on the following:
- Clarifying implementation Program 1.1.B in Chapter 2; and
- Revising language related to the three City-owned sites in Appendix C.
On April 4, 2024, City staff submitted the updated Revised Draft Housing Element, including edits responsive to public comments, to HCD for review.
To access the April 4, 2024 Revised Draft Housing Element with public comments incorporated, click the button above and to the right.
The following documents are linked below for review:
- April 4, 2024 Revised Draft Housing Element Track Changes
- Comprehensive Public Comment Report, including March 27 - April 2, 2024 Public Comments, which includes few minor edits and page numbers in response to public comments
Note: The HCD Comment/Revisions Matrix did not result in any changes since the seven day public comment period held between March 27 and April 3, 2024. To review this document, click the button in the section below that reads, HCD 60-Day Findings Letter Comment Matrix.
March 27 - April 2, 2024: Revised Draft Housing Element 
Seven Day Review Period
In response to HCD's 60-Day Findings Letter received by the City on March 20, 2024, City staff has finalized revisions to the draft housing element. These revisions were concise and focused on the following:
- Clarifying implementation programs (1.3.F, 3.2.A, 3.2.B) in Chapter 2;
- Specifying Municipal Code requirements for employee housing and reasonable accommodation in Appendix B; and
- Refining ADU projections detailed in Appendix C.
The Revised Draft Housing Element is now available for a seven-day review period, which will run from Wednesday, March 27, 2024 through Tuesday, April 2, 2024. The following documents are linked below for review:
- HCD Comment Matrix
- Excerpted pages with most recent revisions
- Revised Draft Housing Element Track Changes
March 20, 2024: HCD 60-Day Findings Letter Received
In response to the City's Revised Draft Housing Element submitted to HCD for a 60-day review on January 24, with additional edits submitted on March 8, 2024, HCD has issued a brief findings letter. This letter includes three comments that need to be addressed. City staff are currently working on finalizing revisions in response to these comments from HCD.
To view the HCD 60-Day Findings Letter, click the image to the right.
March 8, 2024: Revised Draft Housing Element (Public Comments Incorporated) 
In response to the Preliminary Review Matrix HCD provided on February 6, 2024 and follow-up discussion with HCD on February 7, 2024, City staff completed additional edits to the Revised Draft Housing Element. Edits to the draft included augmenting existing analysis to further address comments received in the 90-day HCD findings letter received on November 1, 2023.
A public comment period ran from March 1, 2024 to March 7, 2024. City staff incorporated City Council and community feedback into to the updated Revised Draft Housing Element, and prepared a Public Comment Report documenting all public comments received, City staff responses to comments, and references to where edits were made in the Revised Draft Housing Element in response to comments.
On Friday, March 8, 2024, City staff submitted the updated Revised Draft Housing Element, including edits responsive to public comments, to HCD to be reviewed in tandem with the initial Revised Draft Housing Element submitted on January 24, 2024.
To access the updated Revised Draft Housing Element with public comments incorporated, click the button above and to the right.
The following documents are linked below for review:
- HCD Preliminary Comment Matrix with Revision References
- Updated Revised Draft Housing Element: Public Comments Incorporated with Track Changes
- Updated Revised Draft Housing Element: Public Comment Report
March 1 - March 7, 2024: Revised Draft Housing Element Seven Day Review Period
On February 7, 2024, City staff met with Housing and Community Development (HCD) to discuss completed revisions to the draft Housing Element submitted on January 24, 2024. During the meeting, HCD indicated additional information was necessary and provided a Preliminary Comment Matrix, linked below. In response, City staff made additional edits to the Revised Draft Housing Element.
Per the requirements of AB 215, the updated Revised Draft Housing Element is available for a seven day public review period, which will run from Friday, March 1, 2023 to Thursday, March 7, 2024.
To access the updated Revised Draft Housing Element without track changes, click the button above and to the right.
The following documents are linked below for review:
- HCD Preliminary Comment Matrix
- Updated Revised Draft Housing Element Track Changes
- Updated Revised Draft Housing Element Reader's Guide
January 24, 2024: HCD Revised Draft Housing Element Submitted to HCD
On January 24, 2024, the Revised Draft Housing Element was submitted to Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a 60-day review.
To access a full PDF version of the HCD Revised Draft Housing Element, please click the button to the right.
No revisions were made subsequent to the seven day public review period held between January 16, 2024 and January 23, 2024. To view a track changes version of the Revised Draft Housing Element, use the link in the section below.
January 16 - 23, 2024: Revised Draft Housing Element Seven Day Review Period
On November 1, 2023 the City received a 90-day Initial Review letter from Housing and Community Development (HCD) (linked below). The letter acknowledges that many statutory requirements were addressed in the Initial Draft Housing Element. However, revisions are necessary to substantially comply with State Housing Element Law (Gov. Code Section 65580 et seq).
On November 13, 2023, the Housing Ad Hoc Committee hosted a meeting to review the 90-day Initial Review letter from HCD.
On January 9, 2023, the City Council hosted a meeting to discuss revisions to the Housing Element in response to the 90-day Initial Review letter from HCD and next steps in the certification process.
City staff reviewed the 90-day letter and revised the housing element in response to comments received in the letter. The Revised Draft Housing Element was made available for a seven day public review period between January 16, 2024 and January 23, 2024. Public comments received on the Revised Draft Housing Element and City staff responses are recorded in the Revised Draft Housing Element Public Comment Response document linked below. The City received no comments indicating a need for substantive changes to the draft.
To access a full PDF version of the HCD Revised Draft Housing Element without track changes, please click the button above and to the right.
The following are linked below for review:
- HCD 90-Day Initial Review Letter
- Revised Draft Housing Element Track Changes
- Revised Draft Housing Element Revisions Matrix
- Revised Draft Housing Element Public Comment Response
August 3, 2023: HCD Initial Draft Housing Element 
On July 11, 2023, the City Council discussed revisions to the draft housing element following the 30-day public comment period. During this meeting, the City Council provided policy direction for the draft housing element.
On August 1, 2023, the City Council reviewed implemented revisions identified during the July 11, 2023 meeting.
On August 3, 2023, the HCD Initial Draft Housing Element was submitted to Housing and Community Development (HCD) for a 90-day review.
To access a full PDF version of the HCD Initial Draft Housing Element, please click the button above and to the right.
The following are linked below for review:
- Council Reviewed HCD Initial Draft Housing Element
- Council Reviewed HCD Initial Draft Housing Element Track Changes
- Public Draft Review Comment Report
June 5 - July 6, 2023: Initial Public Review Draft Housing Element 30-Day Public Review Period
According to California Housing and Community Development (HCD), the Housing Element must undergo a draft process subject to a 30-day public comment period, and if comments are received, an additional 10-day consideration and revision period prior to HCD submittal for preliminary review.
The 30-day Public review Period began on Monday, June 5, 2023 and ended on Thursday, July 6, 2023 at 5PM PST.
To access a full PDF version of the Initial Public Review Draft Housing Element, please click the button to the right.
To view individual chapters of the Initial Public Review Draft Housing Element, click the chapter of your choice below.
To view individual appendices, click the button below.
A Summary/Reader's Guide to the Initial Public Review Draft is provided in the menu to the right.
