ABSTRACT
Access to adequate housing in the Metropolitan Area of Puerto Vallarta–Bahía de
Banderas has become an unequal competition, governed by a market logic similar to an
auction: who can pay more? This situation is worsened by practices such as price
discrimination, forced evictions, and housing exclusion. The objective of this study is to
analyze local residents' perceptions in order to diagnose current conditions of housing
access, displacement, and exclusion, understood as key factors in the advance of
gentrification. A mixed-methods approach was implemented, involving 440 surveys with
Likert-scale and open-ended questions. The analysis focused on participants’ perceptions
regarding access to housing, rising costs, the need to relocate, difficulties in finding
housing, and increases in housing construction or renovation. The findings reveal a
significant increase in housing prices, the displacement of the local population to the
peripheries, and a growing trend of converting properties into temporary-use housing.
This phenomenon has generated concern and dissatisfaction among residents, especially
those who do not own property. The involvement of foreign actors in the real estate
market has increased property values, benefiting mainly landowners, while creating
negative externalities for locals' access to affordable housing. The lack of effective public
policies exacerbates the issue, making it urgent to design and implement measures that
guarantee the right to housing. Access to housing in gentrified areas faces a deep
imbalance between a profit-driven supply and a displaced demand that cannot compete
economically. In the Metropolitan Area of Puerto Vallarta–Bahía de Banderas, this
situation is worsened by forced evictions and housing exclusion. The objective is to
analyze local residents’ perceptions to diagnose the current conditions of housing access,
displacement, and exclusion, understood as key factors driving gentrification. A mixed-
methods approach was used, combining surveys and statistical analysis. The results reveal
a significant increase in housing prices, the displacement of local populations to the
outskirts, and a growing trend of converting properties into short-term rentals. This
phenomenon has generated concern and dissatisfaction among residents, especially those
without homeownership.The participation of foreign investors in the real estate market
has increased property values, primarily benefiting owners but creating negative
externalities for local residents’ access to affordable housing. The lack of effective public
policies exacerbates the issue, making it urgent to design and implement measures that
guarantee the right to housing as a social good, rather than a commodity.
Keywords: right to housing, housing demand, rented housing, perception