Clara Brugada promotes Mexico City housing policies at Urban 20 in New York

During the Urban 20 (U20) summit in New York, Mexico City Head of Government Clara Brugada Molina advocated for a global coalition for affordable housing and strengthened multilateralism between cities. Meeting with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Brugada shared Mexico City’s strategies to combat gentrification and housing crises through state-led intervention rather than relying solely on the market.

Brugada detailed several key initiatives, including the construction of social housing that can cost up to three times less than market rates, the acquisition of 250,000 square meters of land for housing projects, and the provision of interest-free loans through the Mexico City Housing Institute (INVI). She also highlighted the importance of improving existing homes, with a goal of 40,000 improved dwellings by 2026, and the integration of public care systems into housing complexes.

Additionally, the Mexico City administration is promoting a fair rent law and a constitutional reform to recognize the right to community roots, aiming to prevent residents from being displaced by speculators. The summit also addressed broader urban challenges, such as climate change, environmental sustainability, and the labor conditions of digital platform workers.