Improving housing and urban development policies in Mexico
Access to adequate housing remains challenging in Mexico as many low- and middle-
income households cannot afford purchasing a house because of high housing prices
and limited access to credit. An underdeveloped housing rental market and insufficient
supply of social and affordable housing force many households to resort to self-build
or to reside in informal settlements. Administrative fragmentation and lack of coordination
across levels of government favours a disordered urban development that provokes residential
segregation, with vulnerable groups often living in peripheral areas with limited
access to jobs, transport and urban services. Housing policies have recently become
more targeted towards low-income households, which is commendable. Expanding the range
of housing subsidies and fostering the development of a social rental housing sector
would be valuable additional steps to improve access to housing for low-income households.
Reforming the fiscal and legal framework to encourage private investment into rental
housing and promoting public-private partnerships could boost the supply of affordable
housing. Tasking states with ensuring that municipalities comply with federal and
state urban and housing legislation and improving coordination across urban, housing
and transport infrastructure could ease the implementation of national policies and
reduce residential segregation.
Published on May 07, 2024
In series:OECD Economics Department Working Papersview more titles