Cuba: when the economic crisis puts a strain on homes
For several months, Cuba has been facing an unprecedented economic crisis. The impacts are being felt in all sectors, including construction. Indeed, the country is encountering great difficulties in finding the raw materials necessary for the renovation and construction of new housing. This precarious situation endangers many buildings, particularly in the historic center of Havana.
According to official figures, nearly 46,000 buildings in the Cuban capital are now threatened with collapse. The materials needed to ensure their strength are simply not available on the market. This shortage particularly affects old houses in the historic center of Havana, which risk becoming ruins if no action is taken quickly.
The inhabitants of these buildings find themselves in a precarious situation. In addition to living in potentially dangerous housing, they often have no alternative housing options. The Cuban authorities are struggling to find solutions to ensure the safety of residents while preserving the architectural charm of the historic center.
Faced with this critical situation, some residents are choosing to leave their homes as a precaution, settling temporarily with relatives or in emergency shelters. For others, the situation is even more complicated, because they have nowhere to take refuge. The lack of infrastructure to accommodate displaced people represents a major challenge for the Cuban authorities.
At the same time, citizen initiatives are emerging to try to remedy this housing crisis. Associations are mobilizing to repair and renovate the most fragile buildings, showing exemplary solidarity in this difficult period.
Despite the efforts made, it is undeniable that the economic crisis in Cuba is damaging the architectural heritage and threatening the well-being of the inhabitants. It is becoming urgent to find sustainable solutions to rehabilitate endangered buildings and provide safe and decent housing for all Havana residents.
In conclusion, the economic crisis that Cuba is going through has a significant impact on the construction sector and calls into question the solidity of buildings, particularly in the historic center of Havana. The inhabitants find themselves in a precarious situation and the Cuban authorities must face a major challenge to ensure the safety of all. It is crucial to find sustainable solutions to preserve architectural heritage and guarantee decent housing for all Cubans.