1. Urban Housing Problems and Homelessness in Mexico CityBy
Diane Thoreen

2. The first thing one notices is the enormity of the issue just based on the size of the megacity. Notice not only the density but the pollution. But there are many more issues in the Mexico City area.
No. 1: Aerial view of just one part of one neighborhood in Mexico City.

3. No. 2: Typical street vendor scene in Mexico City.
For example, there is the informal economy. This directly relates to housing problems because a large segment of the population does not have what we consider a stable job with a specific wage to make it possible for them to acquire much in the way of housing.
No. 2: Typical street vendor scene in Mexico City.

4. One of the big issues is the wage scale
One of the big issues is the wage scale. A doctor can earn more money driving a taxi than he can practicing medicine.
No. 3: There’s a serious problem in an economy when doctors must drive taxis to make a living.

5. No. 4: 19th century mansion on Paseo de la Reforma
For the wealthy class, there is available housing such as some of the mansions from previous centuries. Notice the modern glass structure right next to the mansion.
No. 4: 19th century mansion on Paseo de la Reforma

6. Again there is available, even luxurious, housing available for the upper class.
No. 5: A typical Art Deco Apartment in La Condessa section of Mexico City

7. Notice the roomy interior of this residence
Notice the roomy interior of this residence. This scene could be from a condo in Phoenix in 2009.
No. 6: Lovely, spacious, modern

8. In the past some more moderately priced housing has been built.
No. 7: There is some government-assisted housing for the working class. Ixtapaluca, Mexico City,

9. No. 8: Another example of government assisted housing.
High rise apartment buildings were built for lower income residents. While not beautiful or luxurious, it is at least a place for citizens to call home.
No. 8: Another example of government assisted housing.

10. No. 9: Owner and her servant preparing food in modern comfort.
Often the housing for the wealthy is very close to that of the lower classes. An advantage to this is the convenient access to low cost labor.
No. 9: Owner and her servant preparing food in modern comfort.

11. The 1985 earthquake destroyed many shoddily constructed high rise buildings some of which contained apartments and condominiums. When new buildings were constructed to replace the collapsed ones, what residences were included were for the well-to-do only.
No. 10: Typical destruction of buildings caused by the 1985 earthquake. Many of these buildings housed apartments and condominiums.

12. No. 11: Homeless man searching for food.
Because of the lack of jobs and social services, Mexico City has an even larger homeless problem than other metropolitan areas.
No. 11: Homeless man searching for food.

13. No. 12: Some of the homeless sleep sitting up in front of buildings.
Many elderly are abandoned by their families who hope the governmental authorities will provide food and shelter for them. For the most part, it doesn’t happen. The homeless sleep wherever they can.
No. 12: Some of the homeless sleep sitting up in front of buildings.

14. No. 13: Many homeless sleep around the Angel of Independence monument.
Many homeless sleep around the Angel of Independence monument. Since one definition of independence is not being affiliated with a larger controlling unit, this is symbolic.
No. 13: Many homeless sleep around the Angel of Independence monument.

15. No. 14: As the symbolic protector of low-income neighborhoods, Superbarrio fights to stop evictions.
Many renters who are financially unable to keep current on their rent are evicted. In some cases, the owners just want to empty the buildings so they can be torn down and replaced with another type of building. Superbarrio is part of a social movement designed to prevent evictions.

16. No. 15: The government opened its first soup kitchen in January 2009.
Here is an example of what little effort the government has made to at least feed the homeless and those whose incomes cannot be stretched to provide food for their families.
No. 15: The government opened its first soup kitchen in January 2009.