"It's not about building for the sake of building": Official press acknowledges problems and lack of quality in housing for vulnerable mothers in Guantánamo

A recently published article by the state-run outlet Venceremos addressed the serious deficiencies in the government housing program for vulnerable mothers in the municipality of Manuel Tames, in the province of Guantánamo. The outlet's investigation acknowledges that many of the homes delivered exhibit significant structural issues and that oversight from the authorities has been practically nonexistent.

For years, the Cuban regime has promoted programs to assist mothers in vulnerable situations, promising decent housing for those with three or more children under the age of 17. However, the reality is far from what is advertised in the official media.

One of the most evident cases is in Manuel Tames, where benefitted mothers have reported the poor quality of the assigned houses, as well as the lack of follow-up from the authorities. Danis Eulania Grau, known as "La Quema’íta," received a house that was supposed to improve her situation, but she is faced with a property that has cracked walls and roofs, no drinking water service, and multiple structural problems.

The complaints from other mothers in similar situations indicate that many of the delivered homes have serious deficiencies: collapsed infrastructure, poor-quality paint, badly installed supports, and carpentry infested with termites. The lack of supervision by social workers and officials further exacerbates the situation, as no periodic inspections have been conducted to assess the satisfaction of the beneficiary families.

The official data do not reflect a better situation. Between 2019 and 2024, the regime allocated more than 3 million Cuban pesos for this program, aiming to complete housing through state channels or government purchases. However, by December 2024, only 8% of mothers in vulnerable situations had benefited, leaving the vast majority waiting and in extremely precarious conditions.

While in municipalities like El Salvador, Yateras, and Maisí more organized strategies have been implemented using local natural resources to improve housing construction, in Manuel Tames, improvisation and lack of planning have turned what should have been a relief for vulnerable mothers into a new burden.

Despite the official rhetoric insisting that the deficiencies in the construction sector are due to the U.S. embargo, the reality is that administrative inefficiency, corruption, and a lack of political will have turned this program into yet another example of the Cuban regime's unfulfilled promises.

The official media outlet Venceremos recently acknowledged these issues in an article discussing the case of Manuel Tames and the difficulties faced by the benefiting mothers. According to the publication, since 2019 more than 3 million Cuban pesos have been allocated for these homes, but only 8% of the mothers have benefited, many of them living in poor-quality housing with no access to basic services.

This publication reflects the growing discontent with the execution of the program and the government's inability to ensure dignified conditions for families in vulnerable situations.

The affected mothers are demanding real solutions and dignified housing for their children, free from shoddy work and bureaucratic red tape that, instead of solving problems, perpetuate the housing crisis on the island.

The housing crisis in Cuba continues to worsen, with structural issues, a lack of construction materials, and natural disasters that have left thousands of families in precarious conditions.

This crisis is compounded by the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar, which severely impacted the region in October 2024, leaving thousands of people homeless. According to the Ministry of Construction, more than 46,000 homes were damaged across the island, with Guantánamo, Granma, and Santiago de Cuba among the most affected provinces.

Eight years after the passage of Hurricane Matthew, many families in Maisí are still awaiting a solution. Recent reports have revealed that the government is handing out cardboard roofs instead of durable materials, causing outrage among the affected residents. This situation is compounded by the lack of funds for the reconstruction of homes damaged by recent disasters.

In Havana, collapses continue to happen frequently. In February 2025, a building in the neighborhood of Santos Suárez collapsed, fortunately without causing any casualties. However, this incident highlights the seriousness of the problem: according to official data, 35% of housing in Cuba is in poor technical condition, while independent reports suggest that the actual figure may be even higher.

The crisis also extends to Ciego de Ávila, where multifamily buildings are experiencing leaks, non-functional elevators, and collapsed plumbing systems, complicating the lives of thousands of residents. In Baracoa, the family of a child who suffered a skull injury from a falling tree continues to live in a house without a roof, exposing the child to unsanitary conditions and diseases.

In terms of construction, the Housing Plan in Cuba has systematically failed in recent years. In 2024, only 39% of the annual target was achieved due to a shortage of cement and other materials. At the last meeting of the Ministry of Construction, the government acknowledged that cement production has dropped by 90%, reaching only 10% of the country's installed capacity.

In light of this situation, the government has announced the construction of 12,183 homes by 2025 and the development of a new Housing Law. However, the history of unmet commitments and the lack of resources create skepticism among the population, which continues to face a housing crisis with no solutions in sight.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Housing Crisis in Cuba