Housing crisis deepens as Abinader seeks pact

Housing: a 1.4 million-unit deficit in the Dominican Republic

According to a report by CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic ranks among the countries with the largest housing shortages in the region, with an estimated deficit of 1.4 million units—equivalent to 39.3% of national needs.

Of these, nearly 393,000 homes suffer from critical deficiencies in access to water, electricity or adequate construction materials.

Regionally, the country ranks seventh, ahead of Peru, Ecuador, Paraguay, El Salvador and Costa Rica.

Housing costs continue to rise, particularly in Greater Santo Domingo, where the average price per square meter reached 109,381 pesos in 2025, peaking at 132,730 pesos in the National District.

So-called affordable housing (priced below 3 million pesos) accounts for just 6.8% of supply, underscoring a market heavily concentrated in mid- and high-end segments.

Politics: Abinader launches consultations for a national pact

Against a backdrop of global uncertainty, President Luis Abinader announced on April 6, 2026 the launch of nationwide consultations involving economic, political and social stakeholders.

The initiative aims to forge a national agreement to mitigate the effects of the global crisis, particularly those linked to tensions in the Middle East.

The decision followed a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council, where authorities outlined key response measures.

Top priorities include sustaining economic growth, protecting Dominican households and strengthening border surveillance in connection with the situation in Haiti.

The head of state reiterated that national defense, public security and territorial integrity remain non-negotiable priorities.

Soraya Ades