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A worsening deficit: 10.7 million households have housing problems in Argentina - Ambito Financiero
Source:
www.ambito.com
March 25, 2026
By José Luis Cieri
A report indicated that 73% of properties have structural deficiencies, lack of services, or problems with tenure or access to ownership. Will there be a solution?
The decline in access to housing reflects a structural deficit that impacts millions of households across the country.
A report by the Urban Fabric Foundation quantified a structural problem in Argentina: 10.7 million urban households have some type of housing deficit . This figure represents 73% of the total number of households surveyed in the 2022 Census, out of 14.6 million households.
The study, based on census data, broadened the traditional view of the housing deficit. It considered not only the material conditions of dwellings or overcrowding, but also aspects such as lack of services, irregular land tenure, and the inability to access property ownership.
Fernando Álvarez de Celis , executive director of the Urban Fabric Foundation, focused on the magnitude and diversity of the problem. He pointed out that "it is not a single deficiency, but rather multiple situations that, in many cases, overlap."
The study, based on census data, broadened the traditional view of the housing deficit. It considered not only the material conditions of dwellings or overcrowding, but also aspects such as lack of services, irregular land tenure, and the inability to access property ownership.
In that context, the government of Javier Milei shows less presence in housing policy, after the elimination of the Housing Secretariat , which had ministerial rank during the administration of Alberto Fernández .
Each of these dimensions impacts quality of life differently. Some require structural solutions, such as building new homes, while others allow for improvements in the existing location.
In aggregate terms, the analysis allowed the deficit to be summarized in four main groups: need for additional housing, problems in existing housing, deficit in the neighborhood environment and difficulties in accessing property ownership.
Álvarez de Celis argued that "this disaggregation allows for the design of more precise policies, by differentiating between situations that require investment in new construction and those that can be resolved with specific interventions."
The report showed that most of these cases stem from specific, rather than cumulative, problems. 42% are attributed to irreparable housing, 30% to overcrowding, and 19% to households sharing housing.
Housing deterioration and unfinished construction projects are part of a deficit that combines problems of quality, access, and financing Pexels
The social component is a determining factor. Among those who share housing, 84% belong to low and lower-middle socioeconomic sectors. In irreparable housing, that percentage reaches 79%, while in overcrowded situations it reaches 74%.
These data indicate a strong association between structural housing deficit and low income, which limits the possible solutions.
Within this population, lack of access to public services affects approximately 5 million households. In addition, 4.7 million face tenure issues, while 1.1 million live in homes constructed with substandard but repairable materials.
Unlike the previous group, this one has a significant overlap of problems. It's common for a single dwelling to suffer from a combination of inadequate infrastructure, construction defects, and a lack of legal documentation.
Álvarez de Celis indicated that this segment exhibits greater social heterogeneity, with a significant presence of middle-class sectors. This opens the door to mixed financing schemes to address some of the shortcomings.
The report also detailed that many of these homes can be improved with low-cost interventions, such as improvements to floors or roofs, which would allow for an increase in the quality of life without the need for relocation.
In Argentina, 1.2 million households live in low-income neighborhoods identified by the ReNaBaP (National Registry of Low-Income Housing). They represent 12% of households with housing problems.
These territories suffer from deficits in infrastructure, public space, connectivity, and amenities. They also face problems with land regularization and environmental risks.
The report emphasized that improving these neighborhoods requires comprehensive interventions. Isolated actions are insufficient. Plans combining infrastructure projects, regularization, and urban development are needed.
The complexity of these processes lies in the need to coordinate multiple actors and sustain interventions over time.
Although it is not a material problem, the report includes it due to its increasing weight and its impact on housing stability.
These households have particular characteristics. They are predominantly middle-class, with higher levels of education and located in central areas. A high proportion of young people is also observed.
Álvarez de Celis emphasized that "this segment shows a latent demand for access to property. He indicated that, given better financing conditions, it responds quickly."
The growth of renting as a form of access reflects a structural change in the market, linked to the difficulty of accumulating savings and the increased cost of credit in recent years.
This situation complicates the design of public policies, as it requires comprehensive interventions. At the same time, it allows for the identification of opportunities for improvement in cases where the solutions are simpler.
Of the total number of households analyzed, only 3.9 million do not present any type of deficit. These are homeowners with deeds, access to basic services, adequate housing, and no overcrowding.
The contrast with the rest of the universe highlights the magnitude of the challenge.
In situations of overcrowding, extensions can be implemented within the same lot. In homes that can be renovated, structural improvements offer quick results with low investment.
In terms of services, infrastructure development is key, with financing schemes that can combine public and private contributions.
For land regularization, the focus is on simplifying procedures and reducing costs, which would allow homes to be incorporated into the formal market.
In the case of tenants, access to credit emerges as a central tool to facilitate the transition to homeownership.
Fernando Álvarez de Celis concluded that "the key lies in understanding the diversity of situations and avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches." He argued that each type of deficit requires specific tools, with differentiated strategies depending on the household profile and environmental conditions.
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Source:
Un déficit que se agrava: 10,7 millones de hogares tienen problemas habitacionales en la Argentina
Un informe precisó que el 73% de los inmuebles presenta carencias estructurales, de servicios, tenencia o acceso a la propiedad. ¿Habrá alguna solución?
www.ambito.com
March 25, 2026
By José Luis Cieri
A report indicated that 73% of properties have structural deficiencies, lack of services, or problems with tenure or access to ownership. Will there be a solution?
The decline in access to housing reflects a structural deficit that impacts millions of households across the country.
A report by the Urban Fabric Foundation quantified a structural problem in Argentina: 10.7 million urban households have some type of housing deficit . This figure represents 73% of the total number of households surveyed in the 2022 Census, out of 14.6 million households.
The study, based on census data, broadened the traditional view of the housing deficit. It considered not only the material conditions of dwellings or overcrowding, but also aspects such as lack of services, irregular land tenure, and the inability to access property ownership.
Fernando Álvarez de Celis , executive director of the Urban Fabric Foundation, focused on the magnitude and diversity of the problem. He pointed out that "it is not a single deficiency, but rather multiple situations that, in many cases, overlap."
The study, based on census data, broadened the traditional view of the housing deficit. It considered not only the material conditions of dwellings or overcrowding, but also aspects such as lack of services, irregular land tenure, and the inability to access property ownership.
In that context, the government of Javier Milei shows less presence in housing policy, after the elimination of the Housing Secretariat , which had ministerial rank during the administration of Alberto Fernández .
A broader and more complex deficit
The report identified seven main problems: overcrowding, irrecoverable housing, deficient but improvable housing, lack of basic services, irregular tenure, households sharing housing, and access through rental.Each of these dimensions impacts quality of life differently. Some require structural solutions, such as building new homes, while others allow for improvements in the existing location.
In aggregate terms, the analysis allowed the deficit to be summarized in four main groups: need for additional housing, problems in existing housing, deficit in the neighborhood environment and difficulties in accessing property ownership.
Álvarez de Celis argued that "this disaggregation allows for the design of more precise policies, by differentiating between situations that require investment in new construction and those that can be resolved with specific interventions."
Additional housing: the most critical core
Of the total, 1,021,798 households require additional housing. These are the most critical cases, linked to irreparable housing, severe overcrowding, or situations where multiple households live together in the same unit.The report showed that most of these cases stem from specific, rather than cumulative, problems. 42% are attributed to irreparable housing, 30% to overcrowding, and 19% to households sharing housing.
Housing deterioration and unfinished construction projects are part of a deficit that combines problems of quality, access, and financing Pexels
The social component is a determining factor. Among those who share housing, 84% belong to low and lower-middle socioeconomic sectors. In irreparable housing, that percentage reaches 79%, while in overcrowded situations it reaches 74%.
These data indicate a strong association between structural housing deficit and low income, which limits the possible solutions.
Problems in existing homes
The second group comprises the largest number of households: 7.4 million. This includes homes with material deficiencies, lack of basic services, or irregular ownership.Within this population, lack of access to public services affects approximately 5 million households. In addition, 4.7 million face tenure issues, while 1.1 million live in homes constructed with substandard but repairable materials.
Unlike the previous group, this one has a significant overlap of problems. It's common for a single dwelling to suffer from a combination of inadequate infrastructure, construction defects, and a lack of legal documentation.
Álvarez de Celis indicated that this segment exhibits greater social heterogeneity, with a significant presence of middle-class sectors. This opens the door to mixed financing schemes to address some of the shortcomings.
The report also detailed that many of these homes can be improved with low-cost interventions, such as improvements to floors or roofs, which would allow for an increase in the quality of life without the need for relocation.
Urban deficit and low-income neighborhoods
The third group addresses the environment in which the homes are located. It's not just about the house itself, but the neighborhood as a whole.In Argentina, 1.2 million households live in low-income neighborhoods identified by the ReNaBaP (National Registry of Low-Income Housing). They represent 12% of households with housing problems.
These territories suffer from deficits in infrastructure, public space, connectivity, and amenities. They also face problems with land regularization and environmental risks.
The report emphasized that improving these neighborhoods requires comprehensive interventions. Isolated actions are insufficient. Plans combining infrastructure projects, regularization, and urban development are needed.
The complexity of these processes lies in the need to coordinate multiple actors and sustain interventions over time.
Access to property as a new focus
The fourth group introduces a conceptual change. It includes households that rent and do not have other deficiencies. These represent 2.3 million cases, equivalent to 21% of the total with deficits.Although it is not a material problem, the report includes it due to its increasing weight and its impact on housing stability.
These households have particular characteristics. They are predominantly middle-class, with higher levels of education and located in central areas. A high proportion of young people is also observed.
Álvarez de Celis emphasized that "this segment shows a latent demand for access to property. He indicated that, given better financing conditions, it responds quickly."
The growth of renting as a form of access reflects a structural change in the market, linked to the difficulty of accumulating savings and the increased cost of credit in recent years.
Overlap and scale of the problem
One of the report's key contributions lies in identifying overlapping problems. Many households face not just one deprivation, but several simultaneously.This situation complicates the design of public policies, as it requires comprehensive interventions. At the same time, it allows for the identification of opportunities for improvement in cases where the solutions are simpler.
Of the total number of households analyzed, only 3.9 million do not present any type of deficit. These are homeowners with deeds, access to basic services, adequate housing, and no overcrowding.
The contrast with the rest of the universe highlights the magnitude of the challenge.
What type of solutions are required
The report also outlined possible courses of action. For the most critical cases, building new homes appears to be the only alternative.In situations of overcrowding, extensions can be implemented within the same lot. In homes that can be renovated, structural improvements offer quick results with low investment.
In terms of services, infrastructure development is key, with financing schemes that can combine public and private contributions.
For land regularization, the focus is on simplifying procedures and reducing costs, which would allow homes to be incorporated into the formal market.
In the case of tenants, access to credit emerges as a central tool to facilitate the transition to homeownership.
Fernando Álvarez de Celis concluded that "the key lies in understanding the diversity of situations and avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches." He argued that each type of deficit requires specific tools, with differentiated strategies depending on the household profile and environmental conditions.
www.buysellba.com
