A Cuban grandmother, living with her daughters and newborn grandchildren, voiced her fears of a potential collapse due to the poor condition of her home and the government's inaction to assist her in resolving the situation. "My house is a small living room, a tiny kitchen, a bathroom that's less than a meter and a bedroom," said Emma Gronlier Blanco, a 58-year-old grandmother, in an interview with CubaNet. She highlighted the critical state of her home, emphasizing her main concern about the bathroom.
"I have a cesspit above the toilet bowl, which is broken. The bathroom walls are completely cracked," Gronlier Blanco explained, while the images shown revealed the continuous danger faced by the residents of this house. Blanco noted that since 2022, she has been going through the paperwork for government assistance to improve her living conditions. As the sole breadwinner for her family, she has encountered apathy, disinterest, and inaction from the authorities.
"They have never come to my house," she stated bluntly on camera, criticizing the workers who showed up to fix the access corridor, where other houses are in the same condition, but their work was ineffective. "What are they waiting for, the house to fall?" the woman asked. "We don't know where else to go," she added, mentioning that eight people, including two newborn twins, live with her.
"I don't have the means or money to fix my house or do anything," summarized Blanco, concerned about her family's well-being in a context of extreme poverty within the island. A few months ago, the story of Aracelia González Díaz also surfaced, a Cuban mother living in fear of losing her family if the house they reside in collapses in the Cerro municipality of Havana.
"I'm afraid of going to work one day and this collapsing with my mother inside," confessed González Díaz, who has repeatedly sought help from government agencies. Their cases are not isolated, as hundreds of thousands of Cubans live in homes at risk of collapse, which, if it happens, could cost them their lives, as has happened on numerous occasions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Housing Conditions in Cuba
Given the dire housing conditions faced by many Cubans and the government's lack of response, here are some frequently asked questions to provide further insight into the situation.
What are the main issues with housing in Cuba?
Many homes in Cuba are in a state of disrepair, with issues such as cracked walls, broken infrastructure, and inadequate sanitary facilities. These conditions pose significant safety risks to residents.
How has the Cuban government responded to these housing issues?
The government's response has often been slow or nonexistent, leaving many families without the necessary support to make their homes safe. Bureaucratic delays and lack of resources are common complaints.
Are there any efforts to improve housing conditions in Cuba?
While there are some initiatives and programs aimed at improving housing conditions, they are often insufficient and fail to address the widespread nature of the problem. Many residents are still waiting for effective solutions.
What can individuals do if they are in a similar situation?
Individuals in similar situations are encouraged to continue pressing for government assistance, seek help from community organizations, and document their conditions to raise awareness of the widespread issue.