Baja California Governor Marina del Pilar Avila Olmeda confirmed this week that the state will build 65,000 affordable homes across all seven municipalities under President Claudia Sheinbaum’s Vivienda para el Bienestar program. The announcement came after a coordination meeting in Mexicali with Octavio Romero Oropeza, director general of Infonavit (Instituto del Fondo Nacional de la Vivienda para los Trabajadores), Mexico’s federal workers’ housing agency.
The state government and municipal authorities have pledged to donate land and fast-track construction permits so building can begin without delay. Cities with the most acute housing shortages, including Tijuana and Mexicali, are expected to receive the largest share of new construction.
Who Qualifies for the Program
The program targets Mexican workers who have never qualified for a mortgage or owned a home. Infonavit will offer financing at prices well below market rates for homes with a minimum size of 60 square meters and three bedrooms. Workers interested in checking their eligibility can visit Infonavit offices directly at any state delegation.
Nationally, President Sheinbaum’s housing plan calls for 1 million new homes: 500,000 built through Infonavit and another 500,000 through CONAVI (Comisión Nacional de Vivienda), the latter aimed at families without access to any social security system. Infonavit reported in early 2025 that it had secured 123 land reserves spanning 360 hectares across 29 states to accommodate over 61,000 homes. Baja California’s 65,000-unit allocation is one of the largest state-level commitments under the program.
Impact on Baja California’s Housing Market
Baja California’s border cities have long faced a severe housing deficit driven by rapid industrial growth and cross-border migration. Tijuana alone has absorbed tens of thousands of new residents in recent years, pushing informal settlements to expand on hillsides and flood-prone areas. Mexicali, the state capital, faces similar pressure as manufacturing plants continue to hire.
The Vivienda para el Bienestar program launched its first Baja California event in Playas de Rosarito in March 2025, when Sheinbaum traveled to the state to promote the initiative. Baja California Sur is also part of the national plan, with 37,500 new homes planned there, including 12,500 Infonavit units and 25,000 CONAVI credits for non-beneficiary families.
Governor Avila Olmeda called the 65,000-home commitment a “historic opportunity” to address the state’s housing backlog. Construction is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs across the region.
This story was first reported by La Jornada Baja California.