A building that had been at risk of collapse for years crumbled this Sunday in the Santos Suárez neighborhood of Havana, with no fatalities or injuries reported.
Residents of the neighborhood, part of the Diez de Octubre municipality, reported on social media the collapse of the building located at San Bernardino between Durege and Serrano, early in the afternoon on Sunday.
According to authorities, there were no casualties or injuries as a result of the incident, and Housing officials arrived at the location to "identify the households that were residing there and provide timely assistance."
The activist and collaborator of the news portal Cubanet, Adelth Bonne Gamboa, a resident of the neighborhood, pointed out in a post on Facebook that the building had been at risk of collapse for 20 years and had been declared uninhabitable by the authorities about nine years ago, when “they issued an eviction order due to the danger posed by the structure.”
“The building was occupied when the collapse occurred,” stated Bonne, who witnessed firsthand the precarious conditions of the property and the danger faced by its residents when he visited the site to teach the son of one of the families.
“I remember that once I was able to enter, and because the building was in such bad shape, you could see into the living room of the apartment below through the gaps in the floor. I recall that around that time, nine years ago, they were evicting people. Most families were sent to a shelter, and the building was set to be demolished,” revealed the activist.
However, many of the individuals returned to the building because the conditions in the shelter were even worse.
The state of the housing fund in Cuba is very alarming: 35% of the homes are in poor condition, according to official data released by the government last December.
Delilah Díaz Fernández, the general director of Housing, stated at the National Assembly that by the end of 2024, only 65% of the 4,078,519 registered homes would be in acceptable condition.
However, independent reports argue that the housing deterioration is more severe. Lawyer Yaxis Cires from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) stated to Martí Noticias that studies conducted by this organization on housing in the country indicate that “around 30% is in good condition, everything else needs repairs or is at risk of collapse.”
Frequently asked questions about the housing crisis in Cuba
What happened in the collapse of Santos Suárez in Havana?
A building in the Santos Suárez neighborhood collapsed without causing any fatalities or injuries. The property, declared uninhabitable nine years ago, had been at risk of collapse for two decades, and some families had returned to live there due to the poor conditions of the shelters to which they were initially relocated.
What is the current situation of housing in Cuba?
According to official data, only 65% of the housing in Cuba is in good technical condition. This reflects a housing crisis caused by decades of neglect, lack of planning, and scarcity of construction materials, exacerbated by natural disasters.
What actions has the Cuban government taken to address the housing crisis?
The government has proposed the construction of 12,183 homes by 2025 and is developing a new Housing Law. However, the proposed goals seem optimistic and difficult to achieve due to the history of non-compliance in previous projects.
How do natural disasters impact housing in Cuba?
Natural disasters, such as hurricanes and storms, have caused significant damage to homes in Cuba. These events exceed the government's capacity to provide quick and effective solutions, further complicating the housing crisis.
What is the perception of the Cuban population regarding government management in housing?
The Cuban population expresses discontent with the government's prioritization of building tourist infrastructures over addressing housing issues. The lack of adequate attention to basic housing needs creates frustration and criticism towards the regime.
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