The Pacific Grove City Council convened on April 16, 2025, to discuss critical updates to the city’s housing element, focusing on the Affirmatively Further Fair Housing (AFFH) program. Acting Principal Planner Aaron Campbell presented a draft aimed at enhancing housing opportunities for low-income households, responding to feedback from the California Housing and Community Development Department (HCD).

The proposed housing mobility program includes five key strategies to promote affordable housing: maintaining a list of potential sites for affordable housing, developing a home-sharing program, creating residential standards for religious facilities, expanding residential uses in commercial zoning districts, and establishing a housing trust fund. These initiatives are designed to address the growing demand for affordable housing and to comply with state requirements.

Council members expressed support for the proposed measures, emphasizing the importance of adapting to HCD's evolving requirements. However, concerns were raised regarding the accountability of consultants involved in the housing element's development, with public comments highlighting frustrations over ongoing revisions and expenditures without tangible results.

The council also discussed the potential for lot splitting to create smaller housing parcels, a strategy that could help maximize existing land use. While the current housing element does not explicitly include this option, state laws allow for such developments under certain conditions.

Looking ahead, the council plans to refine the draft housing element based on feedback from the public and the planning commission before submitting it for final approval. The goal is to achieve conditional certification from HCD, which would pave the way for the adoption of the housing element and subsequent implementation of the proposed programs.

As Pacific Grove navigates these housing challenges, the council remains committed to fostering community engagement and exploring innovative solutions to enhance housing affordability and accessibility for all residents.