Meet José and Maria, a married couple in their mid-40s with a household income of $9,000 MXN. Over time, they have self-built and expanded their home through microloans.
construction materials and technical advice through a digital platform. They have clear visibility of their payment progress, knowing the loan amount, due dates, and remaining balance, which helps them stay conscious of their finances.
they can take out another to continue building their home in stages, . The program aims to provide them with access to dignified and complete living spaces.
In Mexico, self-construction is a widespread practice, particularly among low-income families. Nearly 60% of the country's homes, over 20 million, are self-built. This method is prevalent due to economic conditions and limited access to formal housing. Self-construction enables families to manage their resources and labor, allowing them to build or expand their homes gradually.
Financial inclusion efforts are growing, but challenges remain, especially in rural areas and among low-income populations. The increased use of mobile technology and internet access is facilitating greater adoption of digital financial services, bridging some of these gaps
Patrimonio Hoy now offers free consultations with construction experts and has partnered with Construrama, the largest building materials retail network in Mexico, with over 1,700 stores. These resources are often underutilized. José and Maria can make weekly loan payments through over 21,000 convenience stores (such as OXXO) and numerous supermarkets. However, staff at these locations often lack awareness of these payment options, requiring users to provide specific payment references. The new solution aims to streamline this process, ensuring users can easily access and utilize these services.
To address these challenges, a dedicated app for Patrimonio Hoy members is the ideal solution. This app would streamline communication, provide clear guidance, and ensure users have all necessary information at their fingertips. We were conscious that this app will primarily benefit those with access to a smartphone and internet. A design sprint was conducted to quickly create and test a prototype, ensuring the app effectively meets user needs and addresses communication gaps
The app truly helped me grasp how my construction project is progressing. Before, I felt a bit lost with the payments, but now I can see exactly how much I've paid and how much remains. It's become an essential tool for me
I was impressed by how friendly the app is. Scheduling consultations and materials delivery is simple. I used to feel overwhelmed, but the app has been like a guiding companion in this construction journey
"I've undertaken construction projects before, but this is the first time I feel like I have total control. The transparency and clarity the app provides is impresive. Plus, I appreciate that it caters to people like me who don't have the latest smartphone model.
During the development of the Patrimonio Hoy app, several valuable lessons emerged. First and foremost, understanding the nuances of the target audience is pivotal. Delving deep into the socioeconomic realities faced by users highlighted the need to ensure the app was not just user-friendly, but also compatible with a range of devices, particularly those on the lower end of the spectrum. Additionally, regular and clear communication with stakeholders and the development team was instrumental in ensuring the project stayed aligned with its core objectives. The feedback from users provided essential insights, driving home the importance of maintaining a user-centric design approach throughout.
