José Luis Gómez Calderón, a technician with the orchestra Yumurí y sus Hermanos, recently revealed to CubaNet that he is facing threats of imprisonment and the separation from his three children unless he vacates the premises he's been occupying since his home collapsed on July 13.
Gómez has been the sole caregiver for his children—Paola Coralí, 11; Daniela, 10; and Messi, 9—since 2022, following the departure of their mother. After the collapse, he sought help from housing offices, the municipal government, and the Prosecutor's Office on Obispo, but received only empty promises while he and his children were left sleeping on the streets for nearly three weeks.
Struggles with Institutional Neglect
In response to the lack of institutional support, Gómez took matters into his own hands and moved into a vacant property located at 604 Cuba Street in Old Havana. Initially, municipal government and housing officials permitted him to stay temporarily, even allowing other homeless individuals to take refuge there.
Over time, those other families left due to insufficient resources to make the space livable. Gómez, determined to provide a home for his children, used his own funds to install a bathroom, running water, and create a separate sleeping area for the kids.
Facing Threats and Unyielding Circumstances
Recently, an individual claiming to be a prosecutor, accompanied by a local sector chief, ordered Gómez to leave the property under the threat of jail time for him and the transfer of his children to a children's home. "If I don’t leave, they will put me in jail, and my children will be sent to a shelter," Gómez recounted.
The only alternative offered was to move into his mother's house, the children's grandmother, but she refuses to accommodate them. The owner of the supposed destination also rejects the children because they have never lived there nor are they registered as residents. Lawyers consulted by Gómez confirmed that legally, the owner is within her rights; only registered children and cohabitants are entitled to live in the property.
An Unresolved Crisis
Confronted with a seemingly insurmountable situation, Gómez is steadfast in his decision to remain unless a viable solution is provided. "I will defend my children's right to a home," he declared. "They haven’t given me any options on where to go. Where am I supposed to take my children? I’m here because I have no home. I'm enduring these poor conditions because I have nowhere else to be with my kids," stated the Cuban father.
This predicament echoes a broader housing crisis of alarming magnitude. As of the end of 2025, Havana reported 185,348 properties in disrepair, with 46,158 needing major renovations, and approximately 1,000 buildings collapsing annually in the city.
The national housing shortfall exceeds 929,000 units, based on figures acknowledged by the Cuban government itself.
Understanding the Cuban Housing Crisis
What is the primary reason for José Luis Gómez's eviction threat?
Gómez faces eviction threats due to occupying a property without legal authorization following the collapse of his previous home, compounded by inadequate institutional support for his housing situation.
How does the current housing crisis in Cuba affect families like Gómez's?
The housing crisis in Cuba leaves many families, including Gómez's, without secure shelter due to a shortage of habitable homes and insufficient government assistance, leading to situations of homelessness and legal threats.
What legal options does Gómez have concerning his housing dilemma?
Legally, Gómez's options are limited as he cannot claim residence in a property where he and his children are not registered. The law supports property owners in such cases, leaving Gómez in a precarious position unless alternative housing is provided.