Monterey County officials provided an update on the housing element status during a recent Board of Supervisors meeting, highlighting significant revisions made to the county's housing plan. Craig Spencer from the Housing and Community Development (HCD) team reported that the updated sixth cycle housing element has been submitted to the state for initial review after a 37-day public comment period.

The county is currently not in compliance with state housing mandates, which could lead to penalties including reduced state grant funding and potential fines. Spencer noted that the county had previously received inquiries from state enforcement staff regarding a timeline for compliance, which they have now addressed by submitting the draft.

Key changes to the housing element include the removal of 24 opportunity sites and the addition of 10 new sites, including several in Pajaro and Carmel Valley. The board's direction also led to the incorporation of policies aimed at facilitating the development of affordable housing, such as allowing 100% affordable housing projects by right, which streamlines the permitting process.

Spencer emphasized the importance of maintaining a buffer in housing capacity to avoid the \"no net loss\" clause, reporting a surplus of 756 units above the reallocated numbers. The county plans to continue engaging with the public and responding to comments as they move towards final adoption of the housing element, which will require further revisions based on state feedback.

The meeting underscored the ongoing challenges Monterey County faces in meeting housing demands and compliance with state regulations, as officials work to navigate the complexities of local development and community needs.