Living in a Condominium Regime: Neighborhood Conflicts in Low-Income Housing, Tijuana, Baja California – A Secondary Publication

Abstract

This paper analyzes neighborhood conflicts arising from the condominium property regime, under which social housing promoted by Mexican government institutions and private developers is acquired. This regime has facilitated access to housing for the salaried population, but it is far from contributing to the attainment of the right to housing. The research takes as case studies housing complexes located in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. The analysis included a mixed methodology. Firstly, similar case studies were analyzed; secondly, a review of the Condominium Property Regime Law was carried out in order to understand its implications. In view of the pandemic situation, a virtual survey was applied to the inhabitants of these areas, as well as interviews with presidents of neighborhood committees of these complexes. From the above, it was found that this form of ownership generates conflicts, reflected in the dissatisfaction of the inhabitants with their housing, disagreements and controversies in their organization and coexistence. The inhabitants have to collectively solve the problems they face, related to the maintenance and use of common areas, insecurity, and cleanliness, among others. In addition, there is a lack of support from local authorities. With this, it is concluded that although the inhabitants have a space that solves their housing problem, it does not manage to be a space that adequately guarantees their right to housing.