Background on Mariana Casillas and Her Relevance
Mariana Casillas Guerrero, a diputada from the Futuro party in Jalisco, Mexico, has taken a significant step to address the growing issues of real estate speculation and gentrification in her region. As a representative of the people, she aims to ensure housing affordability and stability for local residents.
The Problem: Real Estate Speculation and Gentrification
Jalisco has experienced rapid real estate investment, which has led to 450,000 vacant homes across the state. Meanwhile, Guadalajara faces a shortage of affordable housing options for 95,000 families. The current administration, led by Movimiento Ciudadano, has prioritized real estate development over the well-being of residents, resulting in displacement and rising rents.
Casillas’ Proposed Solutions
To counteract these challenges, Casillas has introduced two reform proposals targeting vacant homes and short-term rentals through Airbnb:
1. Tax on vacant properties:
– A 100% surcharge will be applied to the predial tax for habitable homes that remain vacant without justification for over a year.
– Exceptions will be made for temporary relocations due to work, education, or health reasons, or if the property is a social housing unit.
– Penalties will apply to both individuals (for owning more than three vacant homes) and companies (starting from the first vacant property).
2. Limits on Airbnb usage:
– A reform will restrict the use of residential properties for short-term rentals (like those on Airbnb) to a maximum of 180 nights per year, similar to regulations in Mexico City.
– New residential properties cannot be registered on short-term rental platforms.
– Restrictions will be imposed in high-impact tourism areas, such as limiting rentals to 90 nights per year in colonies like La Americana, Moderna, and Obrera.
– Estimates suggest that one in three homes in the Obrera colony is used for Airbnb rentals, reducing traditional long-term rental options for local residents.
Funding Social Housing
The revenue generated from these taxes and fines will be allocated to municipal funds for social housing and public policy financing. Casillas emphasizes that the goal is not to regulate small-scale property owners but to target large landowners who contribute to the housing crisis.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main objective of these reforms? The primary goal is to curb real estate speculation and gentrification in Jalisco, ensuring housing affordability for local residents.
- Which properties will be taxed? Habitable homes that remain vacant for over a year without justification will be subject to the tax, with exceptions for temporary relocations or social housing units.
- What are the limits on Airbnb usage? New residential properties cannot be registered for short-term rentals, and there will be annual night limits (180 nights) with stricter regulations in high-impact tourism areas.
- How will the revenue be used? The funds collected from these taxes and fines will support social housing initiatives and public policies aimed at addressing the housing crisis.
