Introduction
In Mexico, 64% of homes have been built without professional assistance, with many being led by women, particularly single mothers or heads of households. These women, without needing to be architects, engineers, or bricklayers, have taken charge of self-construction in popular neighborhoods such as Iztapalapa, Ecatepec, Tláhuac, Chalco, and Nezahualcóyotl.
The Reality of Women in Construction
Norma, a mother of three, exemplifies this reality. Despite lacking formal construction knowledge, she has built her family’s home piece by piece, using funds from selling tamales or borrowed money. Her story mirrors that of millions of families in Mexico, where 64% of homes have been built without professional help, often led by women.
According to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), there is a significant housing deficit in Mexico, with 8 million homes lacking proper housing and 87.6% of existing homes requiring improvements or expansions.
The rising housing demand, coupled with the high cost of urban land, limited access to home loans, and insufficient housing policies, has left thousands of families with no choice but to build incrementally.
“Women are not just managing homes; they’re designing, building, and defending them,” stated María Fernanda Montoya, the Institutional Relations Manager at Materiales San Cayetano Express. “They’re redefining how they acquire their own homes.”
Training and Support Networks
Over the past five years, civil organizations like Habitat for Humanity, neighborhood collectives, and universities have promoted workshops on safe self-construction, legal advice for land tenure, and practical courses in plumbing, structural design, water collection, and tool management.
These initiatives empower women to construct more securely and with higher quality, reducing structural risks and optimizing their construction investments in cement, bricks, and rebar.
Local businesses have also played a crucial role in this female-driven boom. Materiales San Cayetano Express, a 100% Mexican company, operates eight branches in areas where self-construction is the primary driver of urban growth: Pantitlán, Cuautepec, Ticomán, Zumpango, Ecatepec, Teoloyucan, Melchor Ocampo, and the Doctores colony.
Their model caters to incremental builders, offering materials from a bag of ready-mix concrete up to comprehensive material packages for constructing a room. They have conducted over 200 open training sessions for individuals with no prior construction experience.
“We noticed that many of our clients were women who came alone, asked questions, calculated costs, and made decisions,” explained Montoya. “We adjusted our approach to better support them without judgment.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the main issue in Mexico’s housing sector? There is a significant housing deficit, with 8 million homes lacking proper housing and 87.6% of existing homes requiring improvements or expansions.
- Who is leading the self-construction efforts? Women, particularly single mothers or heads of households, are taking charge of building their homes without professional assistance.
- What support systems are in place for these women? Civil organizations, neighborhood collectives, universities, and local businesses offer training workshops on safe self-construction, legal advice for land tenure, and practical courses in various construction skills.
- How do local businesses contribute to this trend? Local businesses like Materiales San Cayetano Express provide essential materials and support for incremental construction, catering specifically to women builders.
