Costa Rica faces a significant housing deficit driven by both quantitative shortages for new households and qualitative deficiencies in existing structures. While the overall number of missing homes has slightly decreased, this reduction masks a concerning trend: the new supply consists largely of smaller, lower-quality independent houses built informally or intended for rental purposes. Consequently, the housing stock is expanding but deteriorating in terms of durability and comfort, with a substantial portion of existing homes suffering from structural issues. The article highlights that addressing this crisis requires more than just increasing unit counts; it demands a shift toward generating affordable housing of higher quality. Current market dynamics suggest that lower-income families are increasingly reliant on informal construction and rental arrangements due to reduced access to formal credit. This reality underscores the urgent need for policies that support the development of sustainable, well-built homes rather than merely adding substandard units to the inventory. This report is highly relevant to open data because it demonstrates how combining specific datasets—such as household surveys and housing stock records—can reveal complex socioeconomic realities beyond simple totals. By analyzing both the number of new homes and their material condition, researchers can identify gaps in housing quality and accessibility. This approach encourages the use of open data to drive informed decision-making, ensuring that statistical insights directly inform strategies for equitable and sustainable urban development.

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Published on 2023-11-11