A Mexican official said the city of Mexicali is home to thousands of abandoned homes caused by chaotic urban development
Mexicali is home to half of abandoned homes in Baja California, a Mexican official said.
Worker Housing Department delegate Ana Lizeth Gómez told La Crónica the city has about 19,000 abandoned homes — the highest in Baja California.
At the same time, the state is one with the largest amount of abandoned homes — sometimes for many years.
Experts have said chaotic urban planning that left many homebuyers far from their jobs mainly led to the issue.
“The issue is very complex,” Delegate Gómez told the newspaper.
In some cases, new neighborhoods were developed without appropriate utilities like water and energy, as well as a lack of adequate transportation, schools, health centers, or parks.
“Obviously, if families see those areas do not comply with their needs they abandon their homes,” the delegate added.
Most of those abandoned homes — developed in thousands about a decade ago — are located in peripheral areas.
The agency attempted to address the issue by recovering those properties and reselling them. However, new owners abandoned those homes as well for lack of utilities and services.
This time, the agency has taken a similar approach with a twist of requesting developers —mainly other public agencies or nonprofit organizations — to include comprehensive community regeneration by adding utilities and services.
Since May last year, the Institute makes sure all loans and credits are approved dependent on the provision of utilities and services.
Tobacco regulations affect businesses
Businesses have been impacted by the new Mexican regulations that forbid stores and markets from showing tobacco products on their shelves.
Mexicali Chamber of Commerce President Lidia Granados said about 400 chamber members were forced to comply with the new regulations by covering cigarette shelves.
Although Granados admitted regulations must protect people’s health cigarettes are not prohibited by any law in Mexico.
“This is a measure that is accepted to protect the health,” Granados told La Voz newspaper. “However, consumers, sellers, and providers are affected.”
Right after the regulations came into effect a nationwide store chain and several business associations filed lawsuits in a Mexican court.
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