Mexico City Unveils Broad Rent Control, Housing Reforms

Mexico City has announced new measures to tackle gentrification and rising housing costs, including capping rent increases at inflation, limiting short-term rentals to half the year, and publishing lists of reasonable rents. Mayor Clara Brugada also launched a public consultation to guide future policy and pledged to double the housing budget and build more public housing. These steps follow protests over soaring rents and displacement, which have been blamed on mass tourism and the arrival of digital nomads. Some protests turned violent and included xenophobic incidents, which drew condemnation from officials. The city's approach mirrors strategies in places like Barcelona and Lisbon facing similar pressures. Critics caution that while the reforms aim to restore affordability, new developments often still target wealthier buyers and deeper economic issues persist.