“Choosing between food or fixing a leak”: the daily drama of living in a house at risk of collapse in Cuba

Alicia Rojas, a 68-year-old resident of Havana, Cuba, faces significant housing instability due to the deteriorating condition of her home. Living with her daughter and grandson, Rojas contends with a roof that has suffered from persistent water leaks for years, forcing the family to use containers to manage rainfall inside their living spaces. A wall in the home's patio further indicates the structure's precarious state.

The situation highlights the daily economic challenges faced by residents in aging housing stock, where basic maintenance often becomes secondary to essential needs such as food. The necessity of choosing between structural repairs and daily sustenance underscores the broader difficulties of maintaining safe living conditions in the region.