Holcim Apasco and Mexican fund Provivah provided 140 houses to Veracruz, southern Mexico, under their common social programme, Holcim Apasco said on March 15, 2006. The price of each house stands at between 75,000 Mexican pesos (US$7,000) and 80,000 pesos (US$7500) according to Holcim Apasco.

The local government of the state of Veracruz donated the land, where the houses were build, while Provivah covered the majority of the expenses for the construction. The families, who will live in the houses, will only have to pay 8,000 pesos (US$751) for each house, Holcim Apasco added.

Holcim Apasco and Provivah will continue their common social programme, the company said. Under the programme the companies have already provided 120 houses to poor Mexican families before those in Veracruz. Holcim Apasco plans to donate 600 tonnes of cement under the social programme during the current year.