An elderly couple is struggling to survive amid the rubble of their collapsed home in the rural community of La Pollera, located in Vertientes, Camagüey province. Despite their dire situation, they have received no assistance from any governmental authority.
The alarming situation was brought to light by the Vertientinos por el Mundo page, which highlighted the dilapidated condition of the home: every room, from the bedroom to the kitchen and bathroom, lies in ruins.
The collapse took place about a month ago. Initially, the elderly residents were temporarily relocated to a nearby medical clinic. However, they were subsequently forced out by the same authorities who had failed to provide a permanent solution, leaving them with no place to go.
The complete lack of institutional response has left many outraged. "Not a single person has come to their aid. Not the local delegate, not the social worker, nobody. And he reached out to them multiple times," lamented the individual who brought attention to their plight.
Instead of organizing an emergency response, the Municipal Assembly of People's Power in Vertientes held a meeting where, according to a source cited in the report, they encouraged neighbors to provide help, claiming the "government has no means to assist them."
This public admission of inability starkly contrasts with the official rhetoric about the supposed social achievements of the revolution.
This incident is not an isolated case. Cuba is experiencing its worst housing crisis in decades, with a deficit exceeding 929,000 homes. Between 2020 and 2024, housing construction plummeted from 32,874 to just 7,427 units annually, with only 2,756 built by the state. In 2025, a mere 5,454 homes were completed across the country.
The elderly are the most affected by this collapse. Their pensions amount to a mere nine to ten dollars monthly, insufficient for food, medicine, and certainly not for home repairs.
The massive exodus of young people has left thousands of seniors without family support networks, exposed to an institutional system that admits its own helplessness.
In February 2026, the regime authorized private residences for the elderly, a measure with no tangible impact on urgent situations like the one in Vertientes.
Ironically, a new Housing Law project allows the state to seize homes deemed "abandoned" while leaving citizens to live among debris.
This is not the first instance of such issues in Camagüey. An 85-year-old man was hospitalized after his home collapsed in the Buenavista neighborhood in June 2023, and the provincial government has even promoted the construction of "mud houses" as a solution to material shortages.
"Where are the achievements and promises of the revolution that vowed to provide homes for Cubans?" questions the Vertientinos por el Mundo publication, summarizing the gap between the official narrative and the harsh reality faced by the most vulnerable Cubans.
Understanding the Housing Crisis in Cuba
What is the current housing deficit in Cuba?
Cuba is currently experiencing a housing deficit of over 929,000 homes, illustrating a significant crisis in housing availability.
How has the housing construction rate changed in recent years in Cuba?
Between 2020 and 2024, the rate of housing construction in Cuba sharply declined from 32,874 units annually to just 7,427, with only a fraction being state-built.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to address housing for the elderly?
In February 2026, the Cuban regime authorized private residences for the elderly, but this initiative has not effectively addressed urgent housing emergencies.