On Saturday afternoon, at least five homes experienced partial collapses in the Wajay neighborhood, located in the Boyeros municipality of Havana. Social media reports reveal that wooden roofs and tile awnings of the homes were severely damaged, along with some interior structures. As of now, authorities have not clarified the condition of those affected or the causes behind the collapse. Fortunately, there were no injuries or fatalities reported.
A social media user named Loidel Gainza shared images of the incident, stating that residents managed to salvage most of their belongings after the disaster. Photographs posted online show the extent of the destruction: debris scattered everywhere, entrances completely blocked by the collapse, and rooms left without roofs.
The official media has not covered the event, nor have they confirmed whether five or six homes were impacted, as some users have claimed online. According to numerous comments left on Facebook posts documenting the incident, the houses had been at risk of collapse for a long time. However, the government had not granted permission for renovations because the area is considered "heritage."
Onelio García, another online user, specified that the collapse occurred on homes along the Carretera Norte in the Wajay village, an old road connecting the village to Central Toledo and the Marianao Racetrack. "This part of the village was a 'Heritage area' that still had the old roofs and wooden houses marking the entrance... Thank God, there was no loss of human life," he remarked.
Lis Milagro Grau Izquierdo, another resident, expressed her sorrow online: "Five families in Wajay were affected, including my late grandmother's house where I was born. It's heartbreaking to see that house without a roof and even sadder to see my nieces and other mothers crying, uncertain of what future holds for them and their children. My question is, did we have to wait for these people to lose everything? Was it so difficult to modify the heritage status to allow repairs?" she questioned. "Thank God no lives were lost, but emotionally, children, mothers, and the elderly are all devastated," she concluded.
The housing situation in Cuba is dire. Government data from December indicates that 35% of homes are in poor condition. Delilah Díaz Fernández, 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 be in acceptable condition. However, independent reports suggest the housing deterioration is even more severe. According to Yaxis Cires, an attorney with the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH), studies by the organization reveal that “around 30% of homes are in good condition, while the rest require repairs or are at risk of collapse.”
Key Questions About the Housing Crisis in Cuba
What caused the collapse in Boyeros?
The specific causes of the collapse in Boyeros have not been clarified, but it is known that the homes were in disrepair and the area is considered heritage, which prevented renovations.
How many homes in Cuba are in poor condition?
Official reports state that 35% of Cuban homes are in poor condition, but independent assessments suggest the number is higher, with only about 30% in good condition.
Why are renovations not allowed in the Wajay neighborhood?
The Wajay neighborhood is designated as a heritage area, which restricts renovations and repairs to preserve its historical significance, despite the deteriorating condition of the homes.