Housing markets face structural deficits and credit barriers in Spain, Argentina, and Peru

The real estate and construction sectors across Latin America and Spain are facing significant structural challenges, primarily driven by housing deficits and economic barriers. In Argentina, a study by CEEU-UNSAM and Saint-Gobain reveals that 40.67% of households—approximately 6.4 million—suffer from housing deficits, largely due to overcrowding and poor infrastructure rather than a lack of new builds. In Rosario, a surplus of rental properties exists, yet high costs and a lack of mortgage credit prevent many from accessing ownership.

In Spain, the sector struggles with a deficit of 600,000 to 800,000 homes. Experts emphasize that increasing supply requires unlocking land, streamlining licenses, and securing investment. Meanwhile, tenant unions are criticizing the government for delays in implementing housing decrees intended to control rents. Additionally, the construction industry has seen a decline in production, with a 9.8% year-on-year drop in July.

In Peru, the Confederation of Real Estate Developers (CODIP) is proposing that the state act as a facilitator through guarantee funds to improve mortgage access, aiming to bridge a deficit of 1.9 million homes. To address these shortages, technological innovations like 3D printing are being explored to reduce construction times and costs, while prefabricated housing models offer alternative, lower-cost solutions.