**Housing for Well-Being Program Launched in Rosarito**
On Saturday, March 29, the President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, initiated the “Housing for Well-Being Program” in a large public event held in Rosarito, Baja California. This initiative aims to build affordable homes for workers earning one or two minimum wages, with a goal of constructing one million homes throughout her term. The program will be executed through three key institutions: the National Housing Commission (Conavi), the Institute of the National Housing Fund for Workers (Infonavit), and the Housing Fund for the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (Fovissste).
President Sheinbaum announced plans to establish a new decree, coming into effect on March 31, that will allow Fovissste to participate in home construction efforts, aligning with Conavi and Infonavit. Rodrigo Chávez Contreras, head of Conavi, reported that in Baja California, 145 land parcels have been earmarked for constructing 50,000 low-cost homes, with 2,000 planned for Rosarito.
National surveys indicate a massive housing shortage with over 8 million homes needed across Mexico, a figure that includes 300,000 for Baja California alone. However, the area currently sees less than 6,000 homes built annually, which are often unaffordable for low-income earners.
**Investigations and Other Initiatives**
In the realm of housing, President Sheinbaum also addressed allegations of fraud involving the Infonavit. The institution, led by Octavio Romero Oropeza, is conducting an investigation resulting in 38 initial complaints filed, with a forecast of 3,800 complaints to be filed regarding fraudulent activities during the neoliberal era. This came after revelations of around 850,000 abandoned or mismanaged properties from before 2018 when these properties allegedly disappeared into private pockets.
Infonavit is working to rectify past abuses, including freezing 4 million “unpayable” credits for affected families, with over 185,000 in Baja California.
Besides housing, Sheinbaum introduced additional social programs aimed at enhancing well-being. These include a pension scheme for women aged 60 to 62 and a health initiative called “Health House by House,” providing routine visits from nurses to the elderly and disabled. Additionally, the construction of “Pharmacies of Well-being” is set to begin in the second half of the year.
Looking forward, the first phase of an IMSS Hospital in Ensenada is slated for opening in June, with Sheinbaum also making a private visit to the upcoming National University Rosario Castellanos campus in Tijuana.
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**Secondary Article: Nationwide Impact of Affordable Housing Initiatives**
As Mexico advances with extensive housing programs, several states are set to benefit from similar initiatives. President Sheinbaum’s government is championing this push with Conavi, Infonavit, and Fovissste leading construction and financing efforts. The goal is to bridge the significant housing gap with faster construction and fair financing.
Reports from recent housing conferences suggest that regions like Oaxaca, Chiapas, and other states with high poverty rates will receive priority. This focus aims to empower underprivileged communities, providing them with secure and affordable housing options.
Experts project that successful implementation of these programs could decrease the national housing deficit significantly while reinforcing the economy through job creation in construction and related industries. Such strategies, paired with strict regulation and oversight, pledge to address the historic mishandling of housing funds and projects.
If this vision comes to fruition, Mexico could see a transformative impact on its social landscape, reshaping urban and rural living conditions nationwide and fostering greater socio-economic equality.