Dwelling characteristics | Rental units | Sharer units | References & Sources |
Local names | Vecindades (Mexico) Cortiços (Brazil) Conventillos (Ecuador/Chile) Cités (Chile) Some small apartments for better-off & speculative pocket gentrification in older consolidated settlements (2+ bedroom plus integrated private services) | Allegados (Chile) Arrimados (Mexico) | |
Location | City center—traditional rooming houses, converted C18 & C19 mansions; C20 constructed Intermediate ring and sometimes periphery also (older consolidated informal settlements) Periphery and peri-urban (rentals of vacant housing social interest housing estates) | Varies, In separate own home/dwelling on lot (Mexico) or upper floor (Lima) or with on-site petty landlord (Bogotá) | |
Size | Small one or two roomed & cramped, but not necessarily overcrowded individually (because of small families). But variations here—overcrowding does occur. | Small; associated with high levels of overcrowding (because secondary housing units with expanding households) | |
Services | Services (bathrooms, laundry, etc.) shared between units and located in patio Sometimes rental housing has modest services (individual shower/toilet)— usually where landlords develop as mini apartment Access to services & infrastructure generally better for renters | Depends on owner situation | |
Quality | Often heavily dilapidated & distressed and less good building materials | Varies | |