The Housing Element is one of the required Elements of the General Plan. It will identify policy direction to meet the housing needs of the county, both by preserving existing homes and by clarifying priorities for housing creation. The Element will include an overview of housing policies and programs and will identify locations that can accommodate future housing. Due to State-required adoption deadlines, the Housing Element will be prepared on a separate but parallel track as the General Plan. The Housing Element must be adopted no later than January 2023.