3
1. Introduction
Housing finance and construction seem to enjoy a privileged position in the mind of
policymakers throughout the world. Such is certainly the case of Mexico: the country’s 2007-
2012 National Development Plan (Gobierno Federal, 2007) states “promoting the development
of the housing and construction sectors is a central element of the Administration’s strategy.”
2
Such prominence seems to derive from the notion that housing construction, finance and
ownership imply large private benefits and positive public externalities. A quality house is said
to enable families to increase their capabilities and thus enlarge their wealth, both for its current
members and for future generations (Gobierno Federal, 2007;
3
US Department of Housing,
2010;
4
Boehm and Schlottmann, 2004
5
). Housing construction is considered an important engine
for job creation and a key to promoting a strong domestic economy (Gobierno Federal, 2007;
6
CONAVI, 2008
7
). Moreover, housing ownership is believed to promote citizenship and
community participation (CONAVI, 2008
8
In this context of public discourse context, the 2000-2006 Mexican Federal
Administration launched a comprehensive policy package geared towards promoting housing
finance, construction and ownership, which has been maintained by the 2007-2012
Administration. The package includes operational, planning and financial adjustments at the
).
2
Programa Nacional de Desarrollo 2007-2012, Gobierno Federal, 2007 (Section 2.13) states “Una vivienda de
calidad, con certidumbre jurídica sobre su propiedad, permite a las familias generar mayor riqueza, tanto para las
generaciones actuales, como para las futuras.”
3
Programa Nacional de Desarrollo 2007-2012, Gobierno Federal, 2007 (Section 2.13) States “Una vivienda de
calidad, con certidumbre jurídica sobre su propiedad, permite a las familias generar mayor riqueza, tanto para las
generaciones actuales, como para las futuras”.
4
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development(http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/about/mission),
states, “HUD is working to (…) utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life.”
5
Boehm and Schlottmann, 2004; Wealth Accumulation and Homeownership: Evidence for Low-Income
Households. The authors state “[…] Over the nine year period of the study, owned housing is an important means of
wealth accumulation. Indeed, the results may be broadly interpreted for lower income households as implying that
housing wealth is total wealth. […] These results tend to support public policies aimed at both increasing
homeownership opportunities in general and those policies that focus on homeownership for lower income
households.”
6
Programa Nacional de Desarrollo 2007-2012, Gobierno Federal, 2007 (Section 2.13): “La construcción y la
vivienda son sectores altamente generadores de empleos y que tienen el potencial de constituirse en motores del
crecimiento de la demanda interna, reduciendo la sensibilidad ante fluctuaciones en la economía internacional”
7
Programa Nacional de Vivienda 2008-2012, CONAVI, 2008: “Poner al alcance de las familias mexicanas la
vivienda que requieren, no sólo satisface una demanda social, sino también impulsa el crecimiento de la economía y
del empleo y derrama recursos que —cerrando un círculo virtuoso— permiten a la familia hacerse de una casa.”
8
Presentation on the Programa Nacional de Vivienda 2008-2012, CONAVI, 2008: “La vivienda es el espacio en el
que la familia encuentra estabilidad, seguridad, consolidación patrimonial, sentido de pertenencia y el entorno
necesarios para el desarrollo integral del ciudadano, de la pareja y de los hijos.”