With Jalisco facing a shortage of nearly 700,000 social housing units, state leaders and housing developers gathered last week in Puerto Vallarta to address the growing need for affordable homes, a challenge that also impacts the local workforce and tourism services.
During the XV Annual Meeting of the National Chamber of the Housing Development and Promotion Industry, Governor Pablo Lemus Navarro announced plans to present a bill to the Congress of the State of Jalisco aimed at improving access to affordable housing across all of Jalisco’s 125 municipalities.
The proposal would allow municipalities to waive certain fees and offer discounts to developers, encouraging the construction of lower-cost housing. Governor Lemus emphasized that the state and local governments must prioritize social responsibility over revenue collection when it comes to housing development.
State officials highlighted a target of building 44,000 homes to help meet demand, particularly for families earning more than two minimum wages. The broader goal is to make social housing available for less than 1.1 million pesos (approx. $63,300 USD), opening the door to homeownership for more low-income families.
The meeting, part of the annual “Housing and City” forum, also focused on sustainability, urban planning, and integrating new developments with essential infrastructure – key factors for orderly growth in destinations such as Puerto Vallarta.
Additional measures under review include reducing deed registration costs and modifying state finance and revenue laws to lower expenses tied to social housing projects. Authorities are also considering agreements with the Intermunicipal Water and Sewer System Services to reduce feasibility fees and direct those funds toward infrastructure improvements in housing areas.
The Jalisco Housing Institute is expected to play a central role in awarding tax benefits to developers and promoting homeownership through statewide social programs. Officials are also exploring ways to increase housing density and identify state-owned land that could be used to support future developments.
State leaders confirmed that new housing projects are already advancing in cities such as Lagos de Moreno, Tepatitlán de Morelos, Autlán de Navarro, and El Salto, with support from federal partners including the National Housing Commission and the Institute of the National Housing Fund for Workers.
Through the state’s Legacy Program, the first 300 homes for public security officers will be built in Zapopan and Tonalá. In addition, the state government has committed 350 million pesos and plans to donate land for future developments, helping residents gain legal certainty and access to financing for new homes.
Officials and industry leaders agreed that addressing the housing shortage will require coordinated action from government, developers, and financial institutions. With new policies under development and projects already underway, the initiative marks an important step toward expanding access to safe, affordable housing across Jalisco.
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