Mexico's Housing Policy Success Under AMLO

In today's Morning Conference from the National Palace, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) showcased significant progress in Mexico's housing sector. The Secretary of Agrarian, Territorial, and Urban Development (SEDATU), Román Meyer, reported substantial advancements in housing projects across the country.

Nationwide Housing Success:

Under the new housing policy, over 1,000 works have been initiated in 26 states, spanning 165 municipalities, with a total investment of 65 billion pesos. The focus extends beyond housing alone, encompassing a comprehensive approach to community development:

• 196 sports facilities
• 176 education and culture centers
• 41 commercial facilities
• 41 health and safety facilities
• 579 parks, squares, and streets

In Sonora, a key success story was outlined:

• 35 construction projects and 5,262 homes completed
• 9 urban development plans implemented
• A significant investment of 3,738 million pesos as of December 7, 2023

Meyer emphasized that the housing backlog, concentrated in states like Veracruz, Chiapas, Oaxaca, Guerrero, and the State of Mexico, has been significantly reduced. The new policy has allowed 2.9 million people to escape the housing backlog, with improvements in access to basic services, quality, and space in homes.

Additionally, joint efforts from the Housing Fund of the Institute of Security and Social Services for State Workers (Fovissste) and the National Workers' Housing Fund (Infonavit) have resulted in 3.1 million actions benefiting over 11 million people nationwide.

César Buenrostro Moreno, director of Fovissste, highlighted the delivery of 234,042 housing credits by the end of this year, with a projection of 34,000 more by 2023. Meanwhile, Carlos Martínez Velázquez, Infonavit's director, stressed the significance of the delivery of 2.3 million credits during this administration, ending evictions and addressing unpayable debts.

Release of Alfredo Jalife and Other Updates:

President López Obrador addressed the release of analyst Alfredo Jalife, highlighting the importance of respecting constitutional rights. He also commented on the closure of a garbage site in Oaxaca and announced a 40 million-peso allocation to support students in the state.

Turning to the decline in violence in Tamaulipas, the President acknowledged the positive trends, with a particular focus on the increased presence of the National Guard on the border and recent arms seizures. He mentioned plans to visit Tamaulipas in mid-December for the inauguration of new facilities and emphasized the collaborative efforts between federal and state authorities to enhance security.

Security Measures and Political Appointments:

Discussing the National Guard's role in Celaya, Guanajuato, the President expressed support for the National Guard's continued collaboration with the Secretary of Defense and stressed that the country is not being militarized.

Regarding the appointment of Mario Delgado as the coordinator of Claudia Sheinbaum's pre-campaign, López Obrador remained neutral, emphasizing his personal fondness for Delgado.

Trust Funds and Progress in Acapulco:

The President touched upon the judicial trusts, mentioning Minister Javier Laynez's role in preventing their disappearance. Despite complications, he assured that support for Acapulco would not be delayed, with achievements outlined until December 7, 2023, including the delivery of pantries, basic baskets, and ongoing efforts in reconstruction.

Upcoming Initiatives and Encouragement for the Media:

The President revealed plans to present crucial initiatives, including National Guard reform, for the Judicial and Electoral Power in February. He encouraged the media to investigate and expose corruption, considering it the primary issue undermining Mexico's progress.

In conclusion, AMLO's Morning Conference highlighted the administration's commitment to transformative housing policies, ongoing security efforts, and a call for media collaboration in the fight against corruption.