Background on the Issue
Renting a house or apartment in Mexico City can be challenging for families with young children or pet owners due to discriminatory practices affecting thousands of families and tenants. The Comisión de Vivienda (Housing Commission) of the capital’s Congress has proposed a reform to eliminate these discriminatory practices.
Legislative Progress
The Mexico City Congress approved a draft reform to Article 4 of the Ley de Vivienda (Housing Law) in a plenary session. Diputado César Emilio Guijosa Hernández (Morena) explained that the aim is to strengthen the fundamental human right to adequate housing.
“This dictamen does not infringe on private property; it protects it. We are reinforcing the progressive rights of this city,” he stated during his intervention.
The reform proposal explicitly prohibits restricting access to housing due to cohabitation with minors or companion animals, aligning with the principles of equality, non-discrimination, and constitutional recognition of animals as sentient beings.
Discrimination in Rental Contracts
Congresswoman Diana Barragán Sánchez (PT), the initiative’s promoter, emphasized that discrimination in rental contracts directly affects both families with children and pet owners.
“The goal is to address the problem caused by discrimination faced by individuals who wish to rent a home but cannot due to having children or pets,” she added.
According to data mentioned by the legislator, 40% of abandoned animals result from housing restrictions, highlighting the impact on people’s daily lives. Moreover, the Consejo para Prevenir y Eliminar la Discriminación en la Ciudad de México (Copred) has identified that 25% of housing-related complaints are due to exclusion based on having children or pets.
Strengthening the Housing Law
During local Congress discussions, a reservation was approved for Article 4 of the Ley de Vivienda, presented by Diputada Barragán Sánchez, to refine its wording and bolster its implementation.
Pets are increasingly common in Mexico City households. According to the National Survey of Self-Reported Well-being 2021 by Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography, there are 80 million pets nationwide. In Mexico City, 61.4% of households have a companion animal.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main goal of the proposed reform? The primary objective is to eliminate discriminatory practices in rentals for families with children and pet owners, reinforcing the human right to adequate housing.
- What specific discriminatory practices does the reform target? The reform aims to prohibit restricting access to housing due to cohabitation with minors or companion animals.
- What percentage of housing-related complaints are due to discrimination against families with children and pets? Copred identified that 25% of housing-related complaints are due to exclusion based on having children or pets.
- What is the significance of this reform for pet owners in Mexico City? With 61.4% of households having a companion animal, this reform ensures fairer rental opportunities for pet owners in Mexico City.
