CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

New Housing Resolution Promises to Improve Living Conditions in Cuba

CUBA, May 11, 2010. The National Housing Institute of Cuba has recently approved a new resolution authorizing licenses to Cubans who wish to undertake construction projects on their properties. The regulation is aimed at gradually solving housing shortages in the country, one of Cuba’s most pressing problems, by giving Cubans the freedom to build new houses, undertake restoration and renovation projects and to enlarge existing properties.

Welcomed with great enthusiasm, the newly implemented Resolution 40 enables Cuban citizens who meet the legal prerequisites and wish to undertake construction works in their properties to request construction licenses and buy construction materials at outlets designated by the Ministry of Domestic Trade (MINCIN).

The new regulation also outlines the need to develop future mechanisms for the open sale of construction materials at their real costs.

Complementing the new policy is Resolution 392 of December 2009 issued by the Cuban Ministry of Finances and Prices, which seeks to progressively lower the prices of construction materials for sale in hard currency markets, and authorize the free sale of other construction goods in local currency (Cuban pesos).

By enabling greater purchasing power, these new measures encourage people to expand urban infrastructure with their own efforts.  

“However, licenses to build swimming pools, enlarge property for rent and commercial purposes, and build on terrace roofs of state building will not be granted under the new legislation,” said Vice-President of the National Housing Institute Oris Silvia Fernández Hernández.

“According to Resolution 40, construction permits will be granted to citizens who wish to repair houses in poor conditions, built within the limits of their personal property, and reassume pending works,” she added. 

The new legislation also allows for developing land-lease property into homes. Nevertheless, Fernández Hernández warned that national housing authorities would continue to control building operations nationwide and strictly implement measures against citizens who illegally undertake construction projects as established in Resolution 11/06.

“When enlarging a property, people must strictly comply with building codes to avoid damaging the image of our cities. Construction licenses to transform locals into houses will be issued as long as construction projects are approved by the pertinent local authorities and meet building codes,” she noted.

— What are workers in the housing sector doing to prepare or this new resolution?

— The new resolution is being carried out in accordance to the amount of material resources available; thus its application will be gradual, according to the characteristics of each province. 

On the positive side, civil engineer Marlene Ochoa Curiel says the new resolution represents a long-awaited opportunity for the people to improve their living conditions.

“It comes at a time when the Cuban government is trying to lower financial burdens and offers people the chance to make their best effort to improve their quality of life.”

The National Housing Institute publicly announced the new guidelines on April 6, emphasizing there are certain cases where construction licenses are not required.

Although the open sale of construction materials undoubtedly improves construction potentials overall, Curiel warns that not everyone can be subsided. “In order to thrive in the future, we must have a common market for the sale of construction products, and those who are less privileged will be given fair concessions.”

Domestic Trade Ministry’s executive Arturo Vázquez said that prices for construction materials were established considering production costs and other market research.

The materials are being delivered mainly by companies under the Cuban Ministry of Construction (MICONS) and the Cuban business group PROVARI.

“Currently, we are overseeing the sale of construction materials throughout the country, including the special territory of Isla de la Juventud. To date, construction materials are being sold in 83 municipalities at stores designated by local trade companies,” Vazquez added.

Although some deficiencies in the project’s implementation still remain to be solved, the new resolution has given people a new hope and the opportunity to strive for better living conditions.(Cubaminrex- Juventud Rebelde)

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