🏠 Housing is a Human Right, not a Commodity
Hello! I’m Walter Rivera Santos, a Puerto Rican real estate broker (Lic. C-24587) with a mission to solve the housing crisis in Puerto Rico. The stakes are high, but so are the opportunities for impactful change. With rising housing costs, increasing displacement, and homelessness, it’s crucial for international investors, local real estate agents, and brokers to join forces and be part of the solution. Together, we can master these challenges and transform Puerto Rico into a global example of equitable housing solutions.
📊 Understanding the Problem
- Rising Costs: Housing prices are skyrocketing, making homes unaffordable for many residents.
- Investor Dominance: Gentrification and short-term rentals (STRs) displace long-term tenants.
- Homelessness: A growing crisis linked to insufficient affordable housing options.
🛠 What’s Driving the Crisis?
- Financialization of Housing: Homes treated as investments rather than necessities.
- Deregulation: Loosely governed housing markets.
- Global Capital: External investments raising local prices.
- STR Impact: Platforms like Airbnb reduce availability for long-term renters.
🌟 Proposed Solutions: Your Role in Housing Equity
1️⃣ Boost Affordable Housing Development
- Action for Real Estate Stakeholders: Advocate for and invest in affordable housing projects. Utilize funds like CDBG-DR for repairs and rebuilding efforts.
- Investor Insight: Prioritize ethical developments that align with long-term community stability.
2️⃣ Regulate Short-Term Rentals (STRs)
- What’s Needed: Implement fair limits on STRs and ensure transparency in income usage.
- Agent Strategy: Support local policies that protect housing availability.
3️⃣ Protect Tenant Rights
- Policy Advocacy: Push for rent control and protections against unjust evictions.
- Why It Matters: Secure housing fosters stable communities, benefiting everyone, including long-term investors.
4️⃣ Empower Community-Led Development
- Engage Locally: Collaborate with grassroots organizations like G-8 or Corporación ENLACE del Caño Martín Peña, which have shown the power of community-driven restoration projects.
- Agents & Brokers: Highlight community-focused developments in your listings to attract conscientious investors.
⚖️ Accountability is Key
Citizen Participation
- Encourage voting and advocacy for policies prioritizing housing.
- Investors: Align your projects with community values for sustainable success.
Media and Civil Society
- Promote investigative journalism and NGO advocacy to spotlight housing issues.
Federal Oversight
- Ensure the PROMESA Board and government agencies use resources to benefit residents effectively.
🌎 Why Solving This Matters Globally
Puerto Rico’s housing solutions could set a global standard. By creating a sustainable, community-first approach, we can inspire international policies and investments prioritizing housing equity.
🔑 Takeaways for Real Estate Professionals and Investors
- Local Agents: Leverage your influence to advocate for balanced policies and guide ethical investments.
- International Investors: Think long-term—investing in equitable housing creates stable markets and stronger communities.
💡 Credit to Housing Advocates
- Leilani Farha: International champion for housing as a human right.
- Kathy Gannett: Defender of sustainable development in Vieques.
- Marimar Pérez-Riera: Advocate for condo owner rights in gentrified areas.
- Corporación ENLACE del Caño Martín Peña: A model for community-centered housing solutions.
🏘️ What’s Next? Join the Movement
Together, we can create a Puerto Rico where housing is equitable and accessible for all. Reach out today to discuss how you can contribute to this vision.
🔗 Visit FenixPuertoRico.com to explore opportunities and resources.
📧 Contact me directly, Walter Rivera Santos, for collaboration.
Let’s lead the world by solving Puerto Rico’s housing crisis—a united effort with global impact. 🌟
