Mexico’s Lower House Approves ‘Adequate Housing’ Reform

Overview

• The Chamber of Deputies passed changes to the Housing Law with a 354–95 article-by-article vote and sent the measure to the Senate.
• The reform replaces the vague idea of “decent housing” with a defined “adequate housing” standard built on seven tests covering secure tenure, livable space, fair cost, basic services, accessibility, cultural fit, and location near daily needs.
• Housing agencies and worker funds, including Infonavit and Fovissste, could buy land, build or fix homes, finance self-builds, and offer social rent with an option to buy under rules that bar new budget increases and require use of existing funds.
• The text directs programs to guarantee universal access and to give priority to people with disabilities, older adults, women who head households, and survivors of gender violence.
• PAN and PRI voted no and argued the plan would turn public housing funds into developers and could put workers’ housing subaccounts at risk, while supporters said it aligns policy with human rights standards.