37º IAHS World Congress on Housing: - Universidad de Cantabria

XXXVII <strong>IAHS</strong><strong>World</strong> <strong>Congress</strong> on HousingOctober 26 – 29, 2010, Santander, SpainCODE: 317SOCIAL PRODUCTION OF HOUSING FOR LOW INCOMEGROUPS IN VERACRUZ, MÉXICO: POTENTIALITIES ANDCHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTATIONMara A. Cortés-LaraMultidisciplinary Research InstituteUniversidad Veracruzanae-mail: mara_cl2001@yahoo.frKey words: housing policies, poverty, social participation, developmentAbstractFor decades, governments of developing countries have incorporated to their public policiesand programs several strategies to support housing and slum upgrading programs as one ofthe main actions to mitigate poverty derived from the goals and agendas implemented byinternational agencies around the globe.It is considered that in México, large proportions of the cities are built through self-help andself-construction strategies without any official support. The governments at all levels,therefore, are recognizing a paradigm shift in the work and responsibility that the state and itsofficial institutions have, as well as the role that development practitioners, academia andcivil society organizations play in the improvement of housing, the human settlements and thequality of life in our environment.The recognition of the importance of the Social Production of Housing for the development ofhuman settlements in Mexico was embodied in the Housing Law since 2006, which has beenone of the most significant achievements for the most disadvantaged groups and civil societyorganizations.The organized social production of housing, as defined in the law itself as, the one undercontrol of self-help groups and self- builders operating not for profit with the aim of meetingthe housing needs of low income population, places without doubts great potentialities andchallenges to become more efficient in the access and use of public resources towards ourcities transformations.In this work, a reflection from the local experiences of the social production of housingprograms that have been implemented in the State of Veracruz, México is essential,considering the outcomes, the new ways of partnership of the actors involved as well as thequalitative effects that these programs have had in the targeted population. Also it would bean exercise to place the challenge in a better perspective to strengthen the state policy in thefuture.37º <strong>IAHS</strong> <strong>World</strong> <strong>Congress</strong> On Housing Science 179