Mexico City Unveils Sustainable, Inclusive Housing Plan

On Feb. 18, Mexico City Mayor Clara Brugada presented a new housing policy that aims to enhance sustainable urban development and social inclusion. She said that no new housing will be built in green areas, conservation zones, or hillside regions.

“We will not allow expansion into areas essential for the city’s future. This is a housing policy unlike any in recent years, one that ensures no one is forced to invade ecological conservation zones. No more housing in green or protected areas,” says Brugada.

She also announced that her administration will implement 200,000 housing actions, with 30,000 planned for this year. “The right to housing is an essential component of the right to the city. It grants residents the ability to shape and improve their urban spaces, making them more livable and equitable,” says Brugada.

She underscores the goal of providing high-quality, dignified housing with access to public services, including efficient transportation. “A democratic and rights-based city must also ensure improved mobility,” says Brugada.

Authorities also increased the housing budget from MX$4 billion (US$197.42 million) to MX$9 billion (US$$444.2 million), which will allow for the construction of 5,000 rental units this year while also rehabilitating at-risk housing.

Brugada also advocates for streamlining bureaucratic procedures for the acquisition of social housing. “We cannot afford to spend years on approvals that should take months. We need to resolve both historic and new housing projects swiftly.” She stresses the need for progressive housing strategies that allow families to expand their homes vertically, preventing displacement and combating gentrification.

To support sustainable urban growth, the government will also strengthen territorial reserves by acquiring land to meet the city’s growing housing demand.

Brugada also highlights the importance of inclusive public policies that keep families in their communities rather than pushing them out. “We cannot continue forcing people to move to areas with cheaper land but no water or infrastructure,” she says.

Inti Muñoz, Mexico City’s Minister of Housing, says that the new policy is based on key pillars including: strengthening social housing production, developing new public housing models, promoting rental housing with six ongoing projects, regenerating housing zones, mitigating housing risks, and improving residential complexes.

He also highlights cross-cutting initiatives, such as policies for affordable housing land use, implementation of green technologies in homes, legal certainty in housing tenure, rental market regulation, and public-private collaboration to create more accessible, high-quality housing. “Our objective is to guarantee the human right to adequate housing within the framework of the right to the city through better land use and increased public investment,” says Muñoz. 

Currently, 246 housing complexes are under construction, with an additional 120 sites in the initial development phase. By 2025, the administration expects to deliver 33,000 housing actions, including 15,000 new homes, ultimately reaching the 200,000-action goal by the end of the term. “With all these strategic elements, we will ensure the right to housing for all residents,” says Edna Vega, Minister of Agrarian, Territorial, and Urban Development (SEDATU).