INFONAVIT, the Mexican Workers' Housing Institute, is making significant service changes and conducting important investigations to address housing issues across the country. Recent announcements reveal extended service hours at its regional offices and provide insights on the conversion of housing credits as well as updates on the alarming rates of abandoned homes due to rising unemployment and structural deficiencies.
Starting from December 26 through December 30, 2024, the INFONAVIT service centers located in Huatulco, Juchitán, Salina Cruz, Tuxtepec, and Oaxaca will extend their hours to assist beneficiaries with information about freezing credit balances and monthly payments. These changes aim to support workers who cannot visit during regular working hours. The extension includes December 28, when services will be available from 10 AM to 2 PM. Here are the specific office locations and their new hours:
- Huatulco: Plaza Madero, local 101, 102, 139, Carrizal 603, Sector H.
- Juchitán: Calle 2 de abril and Álvaro Obregón.
- Salina Cruz: 6.1, carretera Transístmica Salina Cruz-Tehuantepec.
- Tuxtepec: Boulevard Benito Juárez 795.
- Oaxaca: Mártires de Tacubaya 400, Edificio Canteras.
This initiative was prompted by directives from President Claudia Sheinbaum, and it includes benefits such as reduced interest rates and potential discounts on outstanding debts. Beneficiaries are encouraged to take advantage of this service to gain insight on these programs.
Meanwhile, the INFONAVIT office in Ciudad Juárez is also extending its hours until December 30 to allow borrowers to convert their credits from Minimum Wage Units (VSM) to pesos. This conversion is particularly significant as it presents an opportunity for many homeowners to regularize their payments and escape what some refer to as "eternal" debts. The offices at Boulevard Teófilo Borunda, number 7387, colonia Las Acequias, will be open during this extended period to facilitate this change.
On social media, INFONAVIT has reiterated the importance of beneficiaries taking advantage of available services, especially following the closure of offices on December 24 and 25 for holiday celebrations. Their message states, "Attention! Our service centers, regional offices, and other delegations will be closed on December 24 and 25. We will welcome you back on December 26 to continue assisting you. Happy holidays!" This communication is part of their effort to keep the public informed on service availability during the festive period.
The situation surrounding abandoned houses has reached crisis levels, especially highlighted by recent reports from Puebla, where 2.5 percent of the state's housing stock—about 55,000 units—are deemed abandoned. This stark statistic is attributed to job loss, structural deficiencies like cracks and leaks, and lack of basic services. The federal government has raised alarms over rampant fraud linked to housing schemes involving not only INFONAVIT employees but also notaries and various judicial members. Notably, the developer Homex has faced widespread allegations of fraud concerning properties constructed under such schemes, leaving many homes uninhabitable.
INFONAVIT’s Director-General, Octavio Romero Oropeza, suggested this alarming trend could be partially attributed to negligence or corruption, stating, "The mechanism of deceit is employed to swindle workers, charging them up to 40% of their housing savings." The situation reflects broader issues with the quality of housing being offered and the oversight of housing developments, especially as violations have been evident across various states including Mexico State, Jalisco, and Baja California.
Efforts are being made to address these issues, with President Sheinbaum actively pursuing legal action against those involved. Recent investigations have revealed cases where properties were fraudulently sold multiple times to different borrowers, leading to significant financial losses for the victims. This situation highlights the need for greater vigilance and regulation within the housing market.
With thousands of homes abandoned or at risk, highlights of the upcoming housing policies might be necessary to help curb these trends. Obtaining reliable housing data is more relevant than ever as the average cost of homes continues to rise, creating challenges for low-income families seeking affordable options.
Recent reports indicate some municipalities are facing significant deficits of affordable housing, estimated to be 50,000 units short, and these problems are exacerbated by limited access to basic amenities necessary for daily living.
To sum up, the combination of extended service hours at INFONAVIT offices and the urgent need to address housing fraud signals the Institute's commitment to improving housing conditions for workers across Mexico. Beneficiaries are highly encouraged to utilize available resources during this pivotal time as both service improvements and systemic investigations evolve to support homebuyers seeking security and stability.
