The Cuban people face an uncertain present and an equally uncertain future. As the government prioritizes reviving tourism, the island endures the largest wave of emigration in its history. Last year, more than 180,000 Cubans left the country, many of them young, driven by deteriorating living conditions and dwindling opportunity. Inflation ranks among the world’s highest, compounded by the US trade embargo and ongoing governance challenges, leaving most Cubans struggling to meet basic needs.
The housing crisis mirrors the broader collapse of the country. In Old Havana, where visitors flock, crumbling buildings sit beside luxury hotels, highlighting stark socioeconomic divides. Homes were already aging and neglected, and damage deepened after Hurricane Irma in 2017, which caused loss of life, widespread housing damage, and thousands of landslides. Official data from recent years show a growing share of Cuban homes in poor condition. While efforts focus on tourism revival, progress on housing remains limited, with far fewer homes completed than planned, forcing many families to endure unsafe living conditions while rapid urban changes continue to unfold.
The rains in Havana stress aging colonial structures. When heavy rain follows intense sun, walls crack and sections give way. A resident in his early thirties describes the repeated collapses and the chronic leaks that plague the area. The government relocated families to temporary shelters, but these sites seldom meet livability standards. Many residents survive on what they can earn, often far less than a living wage, with power outages a daily nuisance. The prospects for the families remain bleak as jobs vanish and prices rise, forcing some to improvise meals with meager supplies.
The majority of women and children are in shelters.
One family explains the strain: a mother and her two children, along with elderly relatives, live in overcrowded quarters where illness is common and basic needs go unmet. The elder grandmother faces serious health challenges, limiting her mobility. The household relies on a modest pension and government allowances to cope, yet essentials like food stretch to just a few days each month. In this environment, family members take on odd jobs to make ends meet, often selling small items to buy meals for the week. The chill of insecurity runs through every moment, with malnutrition already appearing in the younger ones.
The family recounts how a house on Vives Street in a central district was deemed uninhabitable. Evacuated with demolition ahead, the building later suffered a balcony collapse that claimed several youths. The incident drew global attention and exposed how fragility intersects with urban policy. Critics say the system prioritizes appearances and investment deals over safe housing, with some former professionals lamenting the lack of accountability and accountability mechanisms for building repairs.
Speculation
A local dealer describes how the market for construction materials operates under a shadow economy. Shortages push prices higher and prompt reliance on informal outlets. State enterprises maintain a significant share of the market, often shaping which supplies reach the public. The interplay between government control and private demand creates an environment where repairs and new construction become nearly impossible for many families. When buildings fail, residents lose more than homes—they lose security and a sense of stability.
Living conditions in the remaining neighborhoods reveal a pattern of risk and resilience. One elderly resident recalls decades of service as an inspector and now relies on a modest pension that barely covers basic goods. He explains the necessity of small errands and barter to obtain essential items, including bread, which remains scarce and expensive. The daily routine is a grind, yet the sense of responsibility toward family survives in small, stubborn ways.
The solution is beyond borders
Property owners facing endless repairs confront tough choices. Some families accept shelter life while hopeful for better future arrangements, while others consider selling property to fund escape attempts. In households without assets, people band together, pooling limited funds to charter makeshift voyages and risk the unpredictable sea, hoping for safety beyond national borders.