The conditions of the state-subsidized housing in Buenos Aires

The “Instituto de Vivienda de la Ciudad” (IVC, for its Spanish acronym) [Institute in charge of state-subsidized housing] has the objective of planning, and developing special programs in order people can get a house to live. This is accomplished trough the construction, urbanization and promotion of the life in community of all neighbors.

One of the most challenging and expensive programs is the one that points at urbanizing those disadvantaged neighborhoods and shantytowns of Buenos Aires. For the next 4 years, it has been established that 7,000 houses will be built, and in total (in the future time) it has been estimated that 25,000 will be constructed; plus, the necessary infrastructure.

Likewise, with the idea of improving the quality of life of the most disadvantaged sectors of the city, many public works such as the electrical installation; sewer system installation; improvement of paths; among others, is been done.

Another mechanism of providing state-subsidized housing is through the acquisition and repairing of old buildings or factories which are not being used or have never been fully constructed. Instead of building houses from scratch, the IVC buys these buildings through an open tender, and then it repairs them, in order to sell them and finance their selling, if necessary, for those who need it.

The IVC has a huge amount of programs that seeks to fulfill each family’s needs, in order every one of them can get a decent place to live. Most programs of the IVC have many years of functioning, but due to the crisis of the year 2001, and from there on, those programs had to be reorganized in order to be fulfilled.

The programs in charge of providing state-subsidized housing in Buenos Aires seem to be well planned. It is only a matter of seeing if they become a reality, so that many Argentine families can get to have a place to live, and improve their quality of living.

Living near the rail roads and construction sites

Living near the rail roads or being surrounded by constructions areas can be more than annoying. Those who have lived for many years can get used to the train passing by or its horn, but when it comes to construction noise, as it is temporary, it usually can be a bit irritating.

Even though the noise of the city is generally alike in all parts of the city, these particular noises can make things worse. Even though the ear can get use to a constant noise and in the end, you can live with it, it can still be stressful.

One positive aspect of living near the rail roads is that, if you take the train regularly, you don't have to walk too much. Nonetheless, the nearer you are to the rail station itself or the level crossing, the louder it gets, since many cars like to sound the horn so that the car in front of them moves, or the train sounds the horn when it arrives, when it leaves, etc.

Constructions around one’s home are a different story. As we have mentioned previously, this is temporary, which can be seen as a good thing. Nevertheless, as there are constant new noises, makes it more noticeable. Besides the noises, the dust and the dirt they produce (and get home) is really irritating.

On the other hand, buying or renting a house near the rail roads can be cheaper. The problem appears when you have to sell it, since it will also be cheaper. Contrary to that, in the case of constructions, if your neighborhood is having many of them, in the near future, this can benefit the price of sale of your house, since, if the constructions make the block prettier, it will be good.

To conclude, it will depend on every person to see the advantages and disadvantages of living near the rail road and how much it can affect you, whether it is noise or movement. On the other hand, constructions will generally be annoying but there is not much we can do, and, eventually, it will end up…

Apartments with amenities are preferred when investing

Since 2007, the amenities boom began to take shape and became more vigorous in Buenos Aires. Since then until these days, the extra facilities inside a building are really important when people decide to invest on a house. Due to this tendency, it is really common that constructors and real estate agencies build small apartments with a great amount of extra amenities.

Even though many people admit that they generally don’t use too much, the truth is that nowadays, thank to these extra facilities, the idea of living in an apartment, and not a house, is not that bad. For example, many people have always wanted a swimming pool in their houses, or a barbecue to invite friends over, or even a little garden to relax. All these things can be a part of your building now, making at least a bit of the dream come true.

Amenities have become really popular mainly for this reason. Plus, as it has become too popular, that itself generates an increase on the demand. This also makes more people now want an apartment with amenities.

Within the types of amenities you can find in an apartment building, there exist the ordinary and the extraordinary: Swimming pool, barbecue, SUM (Multiple Use Room), garden, gym, dry and wet sauna, golf court, yoga room, gym instructor, kids club (with babysitters), game place for kids, small cinema, deck with solarium, laundry room, among others.

The main targets who are interested in buying or renting apartments with amenities are the young people, the young couples, and marriages with children.

The reasons for choosing this type of houses are plenty. Firstly, it is believed that it is a good way to socialize with neighbors, and not only when they cross in the halls or at the entrance. Secondly, it is also believed that, as you have a gym at home or a laundry room, you don’t have to go out, or buy a washing machine for your apartment.

Anyway, for plenty of reasons, when it comes to investing, people choose to move to an apartment that, although it may be small, it has amenities you can use.

How much does the increase of buildings affect the floods in Buenos Aires?

During the last few years, and today as well, there has been an unstoppable increase in the construction of buildings around the city of Buenos Aires. For many years now, many old (yet renewable) houses have been demolished so as to become big concrete buildings. This has made many people think about a possible issue: how much can these constructions affect the floods that are already taking place in the City of Buenos Aires?

And the answer is quite simply: a lot.

The construction of many buildings reduces the useful area used to evacuate the water. Likewise, there are many new pipes installed and used, and there is no proper infrastructure to handle the great amount of water. So, if there is a big storm in the city, the water is unable to drain properly and it gets stuck; thus, generating floods.

Since there is no proper planning prior to the constructions of the buildings, and there has been a tremendous increase on the constructions of buildings around the whole city, many consequences arise from this; one of the most important is flooding. In order to avoid these issues, it is necessary that new long-term projects are done, which can organize the urban planning properly, in order this situation does not get worse.

Therefore, even though there have been many floods along the decades in many neighborhoods of Buenos Aires, due to a lack of proper maintenance or initial infrastructure, the reckless increase on construction is making the situation worse. Plus, if we have in mind that, due to global warming, we will be suffering more and more (and worse) precipitations each year, within time, the situation will become incontrollable.

All of this needs to be analyzed, both by the building constructors and the government, so the citizens of Buenos Aires do not suffer from more floods and more problems in their houses, now and in the future.

The difficulty in buying a house due to lack of loans

Nowadays, those who wish to request for a loan in Argentina are going through an epic quest. Applying for a mortgage loan has become a difficult target, as it has, saving in order to buy a house.

According to some data of 2010, an income of around $11,000 Argentine pesos was needed in order to become illegible for a mortgage loan in Argentina. This throws as a result, that a great part (and even the majority) of the Argentine society cannot even attempt to request a loan. Moreover, the bank, since the 2001-2002 crisis, has attempted to give short-term loans, aiming at consumption and not to long-term investment (i.e. buying a house).

What is more, and to make things worse, house prices are still on the rise, due to a series of economic uncertainties that the country is going through. The raise on prices, the decrease in the monthly savings, and the increase on the minimum in order to apply for a loan (plus the many other obstacles each bank put), make the idea of having your own house a bit remote.

On the other hand, for some years now, there has been an increase on the building constructions and real estate around the city. Those who can afford to buy a property see it as an investment, and they choose to rent it.

This being said, it can be concluded that the rental and construction businesses are and will be on the rise for some time, while the idea of having your own house for your family is a dream that is becoming more difficult to come true. Unless you are willing to starve and not consume anything for a couple of years (only if your income is more or less high), in the not too near future, you will be able to buy a house or at least be able to apply for a mortgage loan.

Project to urbanize the “Villa 31”

The “Villa 31” and “Villa 31 bis” [shantytowns], located in the area of Retiro (surrounding the “Arturo Illia” Highway), occupies around 31 hectares. Although there are no certain data on how many people live there, according to the census, it is close to 27 thousand; still, according to some private organizations, statistics show that the number amounts to 47 thousand people living in the “Villa 31”.

In that area, since the constructions they make are constructed with the materials they can get, more than 60 constructions are in danger of collapsing. This has generated an initiative of promoting the urbanization of the Villa 31 in Retiro.

Two years ago, a law to make the project of urbanization of the villa 31 was enacted. This law orders the creation of the “Mesa de Gestion y Planeamiento Multidisciplinaria y Participativa” [area of organization and planning] in order to organize and monitor the project. This organization team is formed by some member of the Legislative and executive power of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the Technical team who created the fore-project of the urbanization of the Villa 31, and the elected candidates who live in the Villa 31 and 31 bis, among others. After two years, this group of people has signed a report which specifies some points that were still to be organized in order to start with this urbanization project.

In the law, it was stipulated that people was not going to be evicted from their homes; only those who were living on dangerous areas or houses that were overcrowded were going to be relocated. According to some information given, it is clear that in order to urbanize the Villa 31, streets need to be laid, as well as infrastructure work needs to be done (drains, light and gas). Is has been estimated that around 9 thousand houses need to be built.

After years of analyzes and dispute, the project for the urbanization of the Villa 31 seems to be moving. It is only a matter of seeing if, within time, if it finally becomes a reality.

Advantages and disadvantages of living on a “country house”

Currently, many people of the city of Buenos Aires are considering moving into a “country house”, outside the city. In Argentina, a “country house” is a type of gated community, with its perimeter delineated and security. This type of houses, besides offering security within its surroundings, offers a different type of living, which it is considered something very important on these days. For this reason, we will here mention some of the advantages and disadvantages of living on a country house.

Let’s start with the good things. One interesting thing about living in a country house is that you are surrounded by nature and live in a calm environment. People can go walking along "green”, peaceful areas without having to go too far, since almost every country has its own little forest or tree area. Moreover, kids have the freedom to go anywhere inside the country without parents having to worry about where they are and how they get somewhere.

Another issue to have in mind is security. Even though, nowadays, country houses are not free from burglars, and people have to lock their doors when they leave, it is not the same environment as in the city. Kids can play outside without having to worry.

Another advantage of living on a country house is that they usually offer a common area where you can celebrate birthdays, or any event. They also generally offer a swimming pool, in case you don’t have one at home.

On the other hand, one of the major disadvantages of living in a country house is distance. Even though these days, they are usually surrounded by malls or commercial areas, big supermarkets, etc., the city allows you to go and buy things without having to go on your car. This problem of the distance is generally bigger when you have adolescents at home. They usually want to go out on weekends, and you need to take them, or see how they go and come back.

An issue that is a fact whether you live on the city or a country house is neighbors. Wherever you live, you can always have some problems with them (not always, of course). The interesting thing about having problems with your country house’s neighbors is that you can “report” them with the administration of the place, should you not reach an agreement first.

As many things in life, choosing where to live is not easy; and everything has its good things and bad ones. Nonetheless, it is a matter of balancing the pro and cons in your particular case, and then decide whether you prefer to living in the city or in a country house.