Almost every country in Latin America faces a serious shortfall of adequate housing. The housing gap represents huge pent-up demand, constrained only by the lack of affordable financing. This creates enormous potential for companies with sophisticated systems for mass producing low-end homes. Industrial and commercial construction is also growing as private enterprises rationalize and modernize to adapt to ongoing globalization and increased competition. Public and privatized infrastructure projects are the icing on the cake for an industry poised for sustained growth, even though their timing is erratic and politically motivated.