Nuevo León (NL) has 286.1 thousand abandoned houses, according to the last census of 2020, but the worrying thing is that the number has increased from the 230,677 of the 2010 census, according to data from the Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics (INEGI).
A population of more than one million inhabitants could live in that number of uninhabited houses, very similar to that which exists in the municipality of Monterrey. Currently, the population of Nuevo León (NL) is around 6 million inhabitants.
Which municipalities are the most affected? Why are there so many uninhabited or abandoned houses? Why are social interest houses the most abandoned, if it is assumed that it is their most valuable asset? Why do abandoned houses encourage the growth of insecurity? Why does supply far exceed demand?
In reality, these are uncomfortable questions for Infonavit, builders of social interest housing, who want to continue building and municipal authorities do not know how to deal with the problems and expenses that they cause.
In NL, more than 723 thousand workers meet the prequalification to receive a housing loan from Infonavit today. This number can be taken as an indicator that there is a need to build social interest housing, but in reality there are more than 286 thousand uninhabited homes in the state, the vast majority of which are social interest.
More than 14 percent of the housing stock in NL is uninhabited, according to data for 2020 and everything indicates that this will continue for many years, since in 2010 the percentage was 15 percent.
And although the percentage of uninhabited houses out of the total has decreased by 1 percent in 10 years, the absolute number grew from 230,677 in 2010 to 286,185 in 2020. Let’s wait and see what INEGI tells us in 2025, since it releases this information every 5 years.
These data do not take into account the number of houses in temporary use, because they are rented, invaded or in another condition. Adding temporary use, we have that only 79.16% of the total number of homes in Nuevo León were inhabited in 2010, and 81.25% for 2020, one in five homes.
According to experts, the presence of abandoned houses in NL is a phenomenon that has captured the attention of residents and visitors alike, as these structures, often in ruins, have become a complex symbol of social and economic problems that require a deeper look.
“The proliferation of abandoned houses is a visible sign of various challenges. From the economic crisis to security issues, these empty homes are often in areas that have suffered due to economic recession or violence. Job losses and migration to other parts of the country or abroad have left numerous homes without occupants,” said Housing Credit expert Juan Carlos Larrieu Creel.
He added that, “These houses are not only an unpleasant sight, but they also affect the quality of life of the neighbors. They can become hotbeds of crime, shelter for homeless people, or even dangerous places for children playing nearby.
“In addition, the presence of abandoned houses can devalue nearby properties, creating a vicious cycle of abandonment and deterioration.”
Guillermo Godínez Palma, an expert in architecture and urban spaces, said abandoned houses, while they represent a complex challenge, also offer an opportunity for change and innovation.
“There are numerous opportunities for the renovation and reuse of these properties, and with the right combination of public policies, investment and community participation, it is possible to transform these symbols of decline into emblems of renewal and hope for the future.
Source: elfinanciero
