The lack of available urban land and The bureaucracy have limited the housing development In Mexicoespecially in the economic and social segments, those with a value less than one million pesos.
According to the Single Housing Registry figures (RUV), between January and August of 2025, 84,327 were built formal homes Nationally, a figure higher than that registered in the same period of 2024 (81,332).
However, the volume continues well below what was built before the pandemic, when 113,274 homes were reached in the same period of 2019. For Gene Towle, general director of the Softec consultancy, This trend is linked to the lack of urban land authorization with services.
In an interview, the expert indicated that the origin of this deficit dates back to the administration of former president Enrique Peña Nieto, when urban containment polygons were established. Since then, equipped soil stopped joining and infrastructure investment was reduced to expand cities.
“The municipalities and mayors have not invested in infrastructure to enable land and it has become very complicated to do cheap housing. Only large companies with experience, such as Javer, Ara, Sadsi or Ruba, are able to contain these costs, ”he explained in an interview.
Regional differences
Although, deceleration has been widespread throughout the country, there are important contrasts between states. According to the RUV, Nuevo León concentrates the greatest number of homes built, with 10,295 unitswhich represents 12.2% of the national total. They are followed by Jalisco (8,820) and Quintana Roo (6,088).
In contrast, in Campeche and Guerrero less than 50 were built housing In the first eight months of 2025. While Mexico City reflects a wide gap between demand and supply. According to Towle, the capital requires around 60,000 housing A year, but barely 884 units were built so far this year.
“In Monterrey, Guadalajara and Cancun, at least, we are seeing Activity in homes of more than one million pesos. But the number of projects initiated in the capital of the country has collapsed. Of 1,500 construction licenses that were given annually, today less than 200 are awarded. The Government continues with a clear policy of expulsion of inhabitants, ”said the director of Softec.
Welfare and floor housing
The program of Welfare housingwhich seeks to build 1.8 million homes during the six -year term of President Claudia Sheinbaum, represents an opportunity to reduce the housing lag. However, for Towle, the key to its success is to first guarantee access to equipped urban land.
“It is very positive that from the presidency there is a program to promote the production of dwelling. However, attention should be paid in the centralization of decision -making and the operation of the program, ”he added.
Finally, Towle stressed that, in addition to public policy, citizen participation will be key: “The production of cheap housing In many places, but it also depends on us as a society that we help, cooperate and monitor how it is carried out. ”
