A Cuban resident on the island, known on TikTok as @erikitapinkk, recently shared a video showcasing her home's remarkable transformation. Posted on April 29, the clip details how she managed to renovate her house over two years despite the significant challenges of acquiring building materials in Cuba.
"I live in Cuba, and two years ago this house was nothing like it is now. It took a lot of effort, hard work, and sacrifices, especially in this country where finding any kind of materials is incredibly difficult," the young woman stated in her 39-second video.
Among the sacrifices she mentioned was forgoing family vacations that year to allocate resources to the renovation: "Our home is more important than anything else."
She credited the success of the project largely to her husband: "This was all thanks to my husband, although I was mainly the one with the ideas, he too, but he provided the capital. Without him, it wouldn't have been possible."
The Financial Struggle of Renovating in Cuba
The fact that she resides in Cuba—and not abroad—makes this achievement particularly remarkable, given that the funding had to come from internal sources in an environment where materials are scarce and exorbitantly priced in the informal market.
This narrative is part of a viral trend on TikTok during 2025 and 2026, where Cubans document their home renovations as acts of resilience. Massiel Trimiño displayed the progress of her renovation in Cuba in March of this year, describing the painting phase as "the beautiful stage," noting that the house "already feels completely different."
In July 2025, a Cuban living in the United States remodeled her home in Caibarién, Villa Clara, funding improvements such as decorative flooring, a renovated kitchen, and a battery system with resources acquired abroad.
Cuba's Housing Crisis and Its Impact on Renovations
These stories unfold against a backdrop of an unprecedented housing crisis in Cuba. In January 2025, the Ministry of Construction acknowledged a deficit of 805,583 homes, a figure expected to rise to 929,000 units by 2026.
Of the 4.1 million existing homes on the island, only 65% are in good condition. Meanwhile, cement production operated at merely 10% of its installed capacity in 2024 due to energy shortages and outdated industrial facilities.
The state construction plan for 2025 managed only 22% completion, achieving 2,382 of the 10,795 planned units, according to the Ministry of Construction's data published in April 2026.
In the informal market, a sack of cement can cost between 3,000 and 5,000 Cuban pesos, compared to an average monthly salary of about 5,000 CUP, making any private renovation an extraordinary effort for most Cuban families.
Understanding Cuba's Housing Dilemma
Why is it challenging to renovate homes in Cuba?
Renovating homes in Cuba is difficult due to the scarcity and high cost of building materials, which are often only available through informal markets. The economic situation and governmental constraints exacerbate these challenges.
What is the state of the housing crisis in Cuba?
Cuba faces a severe housing crisis with a significant deficit in housing units. By 2026, this shortage is expected to reach nearly a million homes, with only 65% of existing homes deemed in good condition.
How do Cubans manage to fund home renovations?
Many Cubans rely on internal resources or financial assistance from abroad to fund home renovations. These efforts often require significant sacrifices, such as forgoing other expenses or vacations.