Carmel

In Compliance
Out of Compliance
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area
Unincorporated Area

Overview

Population
3239
Density
3055
Avg. Household Income
$
126406
Experiencing Rent Burden
51
Providing adequate housing options is a key function of local governments. To help residents ensure their local government is meeting this need, we’ve compiled important information about this jurisdiction’s housing efforts below.
Housing Element is In Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Housing Element is Out of Compliance
This city is currently working on implementing its housing element.
Good Progress
This city is currently on track to meet their RHNA housing targets.
Making Slow Progress
This city is falling behind. It is not on track to meet its housing targets.
Housing Targets
Every 8 years California assesses housing need and assigns each city with a target they must hit. If 
Carmel
 repeats its efforts from the previous cycle 
it will only meet 84% of the identified need.
Current RHNA Target
2023
 
-
 
2031
On Target
Behind
Hit Target
Missed
0
 / 
349
 units
Very Low Income
Low Income
Median Income
Above Median Income
State Statutes
Organizers fighting for fair housing can use many state laws to ensure that jurisdictions meet their housing targets.
Builder’s Remedy
When a city’s Housing Element is out of compliance, the Builder’s Remedy allows developers to bypass the zoning code and city general plan for qualifying affordable housing projects. If a Builders Remedy project application was submitted prior to 1/1/2025, there are virtually no limits on the size and density of a project proposed. Subsequent to 1/1/2025, in exchange for more certainty in the entitlement process, AB 1893 limits the density for Builders Remedy projects.
Applies
Applies
Applies
SB 423
When cities lack a compliant housing element or are behind on RHNA, this statute streamlines approval of projects that meet a threshold of affordable units.
10% Affordable
10% Affordable
Conditions in 
Monterey County
HE Compliance
How does
 
Carmel
 
compare to its neighboring cities?
This city is currently doing a better job than its neighbors at meeting housing needs.
Progress
0
0
Income
17
17
Density
-2
-2
Carmel
's Plan
Add Policy
Key parts of
Carmel
’s housing element are currently being worked on. Get involved to hold them accountable for meeting their deadlines.
Impactful Housing Element Policies:
No prioritized policies
There are no prioritized housing element policies for this jurisdiction which are currently being tracked. If you'd like to submit a policy to be tracked, please fill out the policy submission form.
Other Tracked Housing Element Policies:
No other policies
There are no other housing element policies for this jurisdiction which are currently being tracked. If you'd like to submit a policy to be tracked, please fill out the policy submission form.
Join the Fun!
Join
Our volunteers, watchdogs, push cities to enact good housing policy and keep tabs on the city’s policy progress. Sign up to help push
Carmel
 reach its housing targets.
Monterey County
's Volunteers
13
Current Watchdogs
  
Level II
13/20 Volunteers
Upcoming Opportunities
Add Event
These upcoming events and tasks are great opportunities to make a difference in your community.
Event Name
Date
Type
Stop by Drinks & Agendas
Each Friday at 12:00PST our team gets together via Zoom to monitor local agendas so we can direct watchdogs to key meetings where decisions are being made about housing.
Become a Volunteer
Watchdog Reports
Add Report
Our watchdogs are on the ground observing and taking part in the fight for fair housing. Read their reports below.
Carmel
's Reports
Anonymous
Jack Farrell
  
06
/
25

Carmel's Housing Element is certified and adopted. They have a program to develop via RFQ, to go out December 2025. Affordable Housing Alternatives is working with the city council to remove those sites from the element.

The new Element on the includes new sites, replacing all of the parking lots with 3 programs, including incentive for hotel conversions transferring development rights to hotel owners to build elsewhere & a live to work program which assumes commercial building owners will want to use upper stories as deed restricted housing.

Read More
   
/
 Loss
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
/
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Leora Tanjuatco Ross
  
02
/
25

Carmel's planning to amend their HE to get rid of their "AH on city parking lots" strategy. Other cities want to follow suit.

This is not good. 

Read More
   
/
 Loss
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
/
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
/
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Rafa Sonnenfeld
  
01
/
22

Ambag approved a rhna methodology. 

Read More
   
/
 Loss
2
/
3
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
2
/
3
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
2
/
3
 Pro Housing
Anonymous
Elizabeth Madrigal
  
11
/
21

- Selection of draft RHNA Methodology + continuation of public hearing to be deferred until December 8th special meeting

- AMBAG (finally!) brought incorporation of AFFH factor into methodology to board - no action was taken on it, but majority of board of directors were in support

- Salinas Valley jurisdictions (namely City of Soledad) would like to see farmworker housing set aside incorporated into methodology

- Water constantly being brought up as a concern by Monterey Peninsula jurisdictions 

Read More
   
/
 Loss
3
/
4
 Pro Housing
   
/
 Win
3
/
4
 Pro Housing
   
/
Deferred
3
/
4
 Pro Housing
Be a Part of Change
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