Social housing initiatives advance in Spain and Mexico

Efforts to improve social housing are gaining momentum in Spain and Mexico, focusing on both innovative models and quality standards.

In Spain, the ‘Balearic Social Housing Model’ has received the Obel 2026 award. Developed between 2019 and 2023 by economist Cris Ballester and architect Carles Oliver through IBAVI, the model emphasizes environmental, social, and economic innovation. Rather than focusing solely on construction volume, the approach integrates planning, design, and management to transform how public housing is inhabited. Similar initiatives are being implemented in regions such as the Basque Country, Aragon, Castilla y León, and Andalusia.

In Mexico, Deputy Sergio Zenón Velázquez Vázquez has proposed a formal agreement in the Coahuila Congress to strengthen habitability criteria for social interest housing. The proposal calls on federal authorities, including Sedatu, Conavi, and Infonavit, to prioritize material quality, functional design, and access to open spaces. The initiative aims to address issues where approximately 38.4 percent of the population lives in homes with deficiencies related to materials, insufficient space, or lack of basic services.