"This collapsed four years ago and we still live here," says a young man, whose story was shared by the creator Elcreadorcubano in a video that has generated strong reactions on social media.
A young Cuban, whose home partially collapsed over four years ago in Havana, continues to live amidst the rubble alongside his mother, due to the lack of housing alternatives. His testimony, captured in two videos posted by content creator @creadorcubano on TikTok, has sparked comments about the severe housing crisis in Cuba.
“Of course I live here… this place collapsed in '69 and just look at how we are now. I have no other option,” the young man explains while showing the creator around his home.
In the first video, published five days ago under the title "The Cuba Tourists Don't Know, Part 1," the dilapidated state of the building is evident, with crumbling walls, exposed wires, and clearly uninhabitable conditions. The young man notes that since the collapse, they have barely been able to make progress on repairs. "My mom has no bathroom; we are building little by little to move forward," he comments.
The second part, published two days later, exposes his situation with greater bluntness: “I lost my home, I lost everything… and yes, I fear it might collapse on me while I sleep, but I have nowhere to go.” The young man acknowledges that he lives each day with the fear that the structure could completely collapse, putting his life and that of his loved ones at risk. Despite this, he insists: “For my family, whatever it takes.”
Old Havana, between collapse and oblivion
Comments on social media locate the scene in the Aguiar and Cuarteles area of the municipality of Old Havana. “That’s my block,” “Yendri used to live there,” several users commented, identifying the location. Others expressed concern about institutional neglect: “Aren’t they going to help him?” asked one internet user, while another questioned, “Was this help or just content creation?”
The creator, for their part, responded with supportive messages such as "Blessings" and heart emojis, without providing details on whether there was assistance beyond the testimony shared on social media.
This is not the first video by the creator that highlights the living conditions on the island. Last February, he published a reunion with a former classmate who was living on the streets, visibly affected. “This broke my heart; I was not prepared for this,” he said then, after providing financial assistance. The video went viral, although it also faced criticism for filming the moment.
Structural crisis: No roof, no solutions
The story of this young man is yet another reflection of the deep housing crisis in Cuba. In March, a Cuban mother was evicted along with her four children from an empty space in the municipality of Diez de Octubre, where she had sought refuge out of desperation. The woman reported being ignored by the authorities and complained about the lack of alternatives: “My daughter was in intensive care, and I was left without a home.”
In the same municipality, several recent collapses have been reported. One of them occurred during a general blackout, leaving people trapped in the darkness, as documented in the collapse of a building on Calzada de 10 de Octubre. In February, another building collapsed in Santos Suárez, despite having been declared uninhabitable years earlier. Many families returned to the site because the shelters provided were in worse conditions.
According to official figures, 35% of the country's housing is in poor condition, but independent reports raise that percentage. The government's Housing Plan only met 39% of its target in 2024, due to shortages of cement, basic materials, and a collapsed industrial infrastructure.
A call from the ruins
The images shared by Elcreadorcubano have become a new window into the harsh reality faced by many Cubans without access to decent housing. Testimonies, like that of the young man from Old Havana, reveal not only the physical ruins but also the emotional ones: living in constant fear and without answers.
While the regime insists on reactivating cement plants or "seeking its own solutions," as declared by Prime Minister Manuel Marrero, thousands of families continue to sleep between cracked walls, hoping not to be the next victims of a predicted collapse.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Housing Crisis in Cuba
What is the housing situation in Cuba according to the testimony of the young Cuban in Havana?
The housing situation in Cuba is critical, as evidenced by the case of a young man living among the rubble after the partial collapse of his home more than four years ago. He and his mother continue to reside in the dilapidated structure due to the lack of housing alternatives. This case is just a reflection of the housing crisis affecting the entire country.
How has the social media community reacted to the situation of the young man in Havana?
The social media community has reacted with strong criticism towards the Cuban authorities for their neglect in situations like that of the young man in Havana. Internet users have questioned the lack of assistance and the content creator's focus on documenting rather than providing direct help. This has sparked a debate about the visibility of the crisis on social media.
What percentage of homes in Cuba are in poor condition according to independent reports?
According to independent reports, a significant percentage of housing in Cuba is in poor condition. 35% of the country's housing is in poor condition, although some sources suggest that this percentage could be even higher, reflecting the seriousness of the housing crisis on the island.
What measures has the Cuban government taken in response to the housing crisis?
The Cuban government has attempted to address the housing crisis through the Housing Plan, but only met 39% of its target in 2024. The shortage of cement, basic materials, and collapsed industrial infrastructure have been cited as reasons for this low achievement, leaving many families without effective solutions.
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