In the Santos Suárez neighborhood of Havana, a long-threatened building finally gave way this Sunday, collapsing without causing any reported injuries or fatalities. This incident, reported by local residents on social media, took place in the early afternoon on San Bernardino, between Durege and Serrano streets, in the Diez de Octubre municipality.
Authorities confirmed there were no casualties in the collapse, and officials from the Housing Department were on-site to "identify the resident families and provide necessary assistance." According to Adelth Bonne Gamboa, an activist and contributor to Cubanet, the building had been at risk of collapsing for two decades and had been deemed uninhabitable about nine years ago, when an eviction order was issued due to the structure’s dangerous condition.
Bonne, a local resident, shared on Facebook that the building was still occupied when it fell. He had firsthand experience of its precarious conditions, having visited the site to teach a student living there. "I remember entering once and seeing the floor holes were so severe that you could see the room below from my student’s living room," Bonne recalled. "Nine years ago, they started evacuating people. Most families were moved to a shelter, and the building was supposed to be demolished," he explained. However, many returned because the shelter's conditions were even worse.
The state of housing in Cuba is critically concerning, with official government data from last December indicating that 35% of homes are in poor condition. Delilah Díaz Fernández, the General Director of Housing, stated in the National Assembly that by the end of 2024, only 65% of the 4,078,519 registered homes would meet acceptable living standards. However, independent reports suggest that the housing deterioration is even more severe.
Yaxis Cires, a lawyer from the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), told Martí Noticias that studies conducted by their organization reveal that "around 30% of the homes are in good condition, while the rest need repairs or are at risk of collapse."
Frequently Asked Questions About Housing in Cuba
What caused the building collapse in Santos Suárez?
The building in Santos Suárez collapsed due to its long-standing structural instability, which had been recognized for two decades before the incident.
How is the Cuban government addressing housing issues?
The Cuban government has reported that by the end of 2024, 65% of homes will be in acceptable condition, but independent reports suggest that the problem is more severe.
What alternatives do displaced residents have?
Displaced residents are often moved to shelters, though many return to their original properties due to the poor conditions of these temporary accommodations.