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Housing shortage: more than 3 million families have housing problems in the country - Infobae
Source:
www.infobae.com
December 03, 2024
35.45% of households do not have access to adequate housing and the rest want improvements. Overcrowding, poor infrastructure and insufficient basic services, especially in vulnerable sectors and rural areas
By Jose Luis Cieri
In Argentina, access to housing has worsened in recent years and the housing deficit has expanded sharply in 20 years
Argentina is facing a housing crisis affecting 3.24 million households , according to estimates by the Argentine Chamber of Construction (Camarco) . This deficit reflects a structural problem that combines a lack of housing with the low quality of existing housing.
The alarming deficit is divided into two main categories: quantitative, which represents 35.45% and refers to households without access to adequate housing, and qualitative, which covers 64.55% and includes homes with precarious infrastructure or lacks essential basic services.
This was confirmed by a private analysis carried out by the Tejido Urbano Foundation based on data from Camarco from the expanded version of the Permanent Household Survey (EPH) carried out by INDEC , which indicates that the total housing deficit in Argentina amounts to 3,240,000 dwellings, although it is possible to think that the final result is somewhat underestimated given that it does not include dwellings with a deficit, but recoverable. If this were included, the qualitative deficit would be greater, both in absolute and proportional terms.
Overcrowding is one of the most worrying factors in the qualitative deficit. Thousands of homes house more people than their size allows, which affects the quality of life of the inhabitants and generates persistent precarious conditions. “The deficit could exceed 5 million homes if those that can be recovered were included . This implies that for every home that cannot be recovered, there is another that could be rehabilitated,” Fernando Álvarez de Celis , executive director of the Tejido Urbano Foundation, told Infobae .
According to the 2022 National Population, Household and Housing Census , Argentina has not yet published definitive official data on its total housing deficit.
In rural areas, lack of access to basic infrastructure is the main obstacle.
The expansive growth of cities without the corresponding extension of public service networks exacerbates this situation. Álvarez de Celis noted: “ Utility companies are not expanding networks at the necessary pace , leaving many families without access to running water or sewage systems. This increases pressure on existing resources and makes urban planning difficult.”
Brazil and Mexico account for the largest absolute volumes due to their large populations, but countries such as Bolivia and El Salvador face a high proportion of qualitative deficit.
In Bolivia, 95.88% of the housing deficit corresponds to low-quality housing that requires urgent improvements, while in Mexico the proportion reaches 85.42%.
In Chile, where a deficit of 1.82 million homes is estimated, 69.59% falls into the qualitative category. This country has made progress in measuring the problem, and has incorporated factors such as non-expandable overcrowding, although the challenge remains considerable.
The housing problem is serious and although the Government and banks are now promoting a policy of mortgage loans and development, there are thousands of families who, due to income or lack of savings, cannot take out a loan to buy or renovate their home.
“The State must guarantee investment in basic infrastructure, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods and rural areas. Financing networks in the long term and including part of the costs in the rates is a viable alternative, along with a greater contribution of specific funds for these sectors,” said Álvarez de Celis.
In addition to infrastructure, it is necessary to promote plans to reduce overcrowding, including housing expansion programs and strategies to redistribute space in vulnerable communities. These measures must be accompanied by policies to regulate urban land and strengthen public services.
Álvarez de Celis warned: “Without effective regulation and a clear strategy, the deficit will continue to rise, with a direct impact on the living conditions of millions of people.”
Argentina faces not only a housing challenge, but also a challenge of urban planning and sustainable development. “Investment in infrastructure, the implementation of inclusive housing policies and the improvement of the quality of existing housing are essential to reversing this crisis that affects millions of homes throughout the country,” concluded the specialist.
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Source:
Déficit habitacional: más de 3 millones de familias tienen problemas de vivienda en el país
El 35,45% de los hogares no tienen acceso a una vivienda adecuada y el resto quieren mejoras. Hacinamiento, infraestructura deficiente y servicios básicos insuficientes, especialmente en sectores vulnerables y zonas rurales
www.infobae.com
December 03, 2024
35.45% of households do not have access to adequate housing and the rest want improvements. Overcrowding, poor infrastructure and insufficient basic services, especially in vulnerable sectors and rural areas
By Jose Luis Cieri
In Argentina, access to housing has worsened in recent years and the housing deficit has expanded sharply in 20 years
Argentina is facing a housing crisis affecting 3.24 million households , according to estimates by the Argentine Chamber of Construction (Camarco) . This deficit reflects a structural problem that combines a lack of housing with the low quality of existing housing.
The alarming deficit is divided into two main categories: quantitative, which represents 35.45% and refers to households without access to adequate housing, and qualitative, which covers 64.55% and includes homes with precarious infrastructure or lacks essential basic services.
This was confirmed by a private analysis carried out by the Tejido Urbano Foundation based on data from Camarco from the expanded version of the Permanent Household Survey (EPH) carried out by INDEC , which indicates that the total housing deficit in Argentina amounts to 3,240,000 dwellings, although it is possible to think that the final result is somewhat underestimated given that it does not include dwellings with a deficit, but recoverable. If this were included, the qualitative deficit would be greater, both in absolute and proportional terms.
Overcrowding is one of the most worrying factors in the qualitative deficit. Thousands of homes house more people than their size allows, which affects the quality of life of the inhabitants and generates persistent precarious conditions. “The deficit could exceed 5 million homes if those that can be recovered were included . This implies that for every home that cannot be recovered, there is another that could be rehabilitated,” Fernando Álvarez de Celis , executive director of the Tejido Urbano Foundation, told Infobae .
According to the 2022 National Population, Household and Housing Census , Argentina has not yet published definitive official data on its total housing deficit.
Inequalities between urban and rural areas
The housing deficit varies significantly between urban and rural areas. In cities, the main problem is linked to the quality of housing, with structural deficiencies ranging from poor materials to insufficient coverage of basic services such as gas, drinking water and electricity.In rural areas, lack of access to basic infrastructure is the main obstacle.
The expansive growth of cities without the corresponding extension of public service networks exacerbates this situation. Álvarez de Celis noted: “ Utility companies are not expanding networks at the necessary pace , leaving many families without access to running water or sewage systems. This increases pressure on existing resources and makes urban planning difficult.”
Regional comparison: a shared problem
This deficit is not exclusive to Argentina. According to the report “Housing Deficit in Latin American and Caribbean Countries” by the Inter-American Housing Union (Uniapravi) , the region has 69.5 million homes with housing shortages.Brazil and Mexico account for the largest absolute volumes due to their large populations, but countries such as Bolivia and El Salvador face a high proportion of qualitative deficit.
In Bolivia, 95.88% of the housing deficit corresponds to low-quality housing that requires urgent improvements, while in Mexico the proportion reaches 85.42%.
In Chile, where a deficit of 1.82 million homes is estimated, 69.59% falls into the qualitative category. This country has made progress in measuring the problem, and has incorporated factors such as non-expandable overcrowding, although the challenge remains considerable.
Possible solutions
Addressing the housing shortage in Argentina requires a comprehensive approach that includes building new homes and improving existing ones.
The housing problem is serious and although the Government and banks are now promoting a policy of mortgage loans and development, there are thousands of families who, due to income or lack of savings, cannot take out a loan to buy or renovate their home.
“The State must guarantee investment in basic infrastructure, especially in vulnerable neighborhoods and rural areas. Financing networks in the long term and including part of the costs in the rates is a viable alternative, along with a greater contribution of specific funds for these sectors,” said Álvarez de Celis.
In addition to infrastructure, it is necessary to promote plans to reduce overcrowding, including housing expansion programs and strategies to redistribute space in vulnerable communities. These measures must be accompanied by policies to regulate urban land and strengthen public services.
A structural problem
The housing deficit in Argentina highlights the need for urgent and sustained intervention involving both the public and private sectors.Álvarez de Celis warned: “Without effective regulation and a clear strategy, the deficit will continue to rise, with a direct impact on the living conditions of millions of people.”
Argentina faces not only a housing challenge, but also a challenge of urban planning and sustainable development. “Investment in infrastructure, the implementation of inclusive housing policies and the improvement of the quality of existing housing are essential to reversing this crisis that affects millions of homes throughout the country,” concluded the specialist.
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