Mexico faces severe housing deficit in 128 municipalities

Mexico is facing a significant housing deficit, with over 90% of homes in 128 municipalities classified as being in a state of housing lag. According to data from the Secretariat of Agrarian, Territorial and Urban Development (Sedatu) and the National Housing Commission (Conavi), this issue is heavily concentrated in four states: Chihuahua (41 municipalities), Sonora (28), Chiapas (25), and Oaxaca (18).

The housing lag is defined by homes built with precarious materials in floors, roofs, or walls, a lack of toilets, or overcrowding. In certain municipalities, such as Bacoachi, Sonora, and Maguarichi, Chihuahua, the deficit affects nearly 99.8% of the local housing stock.

Experts emphasize that the housing crisis extends beyond the physical structures themselves. Miguel Sosa, president of the Federation of Colleges of Architects of the Mexican Republic (FCARM), noted that urban expansion toward peripheral zones increases distances between homes, workplaces, and essential services, complicating mobility and connectivity. Sociologist and urbanist Ana López added that housing must be viewed as part of a broader habitat that includes public spaces and social connectivity to ensure quality of life.