Container homes: the regime's new solution to the housing crisis

Prefabricated modules are proposed for multifamily residences, elder houses, and buildings without steel or cement, the latter inspired by traditional construction techniques from the colonial era.

By CiberCuba Editorial Team

Monday, June 30, 2025 - 5:47 PM

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In the midst of the deep housing crisis that Cuba is experiencing, the regime is attempting to promote various projects that include constructions using shipping containers, as part of its proposals to alleviate the housing deficit in the province of Holguín.

In addition to these container houses, according to the Cuban News Agency, prefabricated modules for multi-family residences, homes for the elderly, and buildings made without steel or concrete are proposed, the latter inspired by traditional construction techniques from the colonial era.

Prefabricated multifamily buildings allow for better urban adaptation and flexibility in spaces, according to Solange Reyes Ochoa, an architect at the Engineering and Design Services Company, the group responsible for the project.

He also explained that constructions without steel or cement provide an alternative in the face of the chronic shortage of building materials on the island. These solutions, he assured, aim to enhance community welfare through "creative and sustainable" projects.

However, the proposal for container homes in Cuba is set against a backdrop of deep economic crisis, in which millions of families barely have access to basic food, let alone options for dignified housing.

In countries like Spain, container homes have gained some popularity as a sustainable and affordable alternative, as they allow for versatile designs, shorter construction times, and more accessible prices, according to an analysis by Idealista News.

The features of these houses include their high resilience, thanks to the original metal structure of the shipping containers, which are designed to withstand extreme conditions and heavy loads.

Additionally, they offer the possibility of relocation, reducing their environmental impact compared to traditional housing, although they require a foundation on the ground where they are installed.

Construction times in Spain range from one to six months, depending on the size and complexity of the project—something hard to imagine in Cuba, where bureaucracy, shortages, and lack of infrastructure delay any building plans.

While the Cuban regime presents these initiatives as a "creative solution," the reality is that the majority of the population cannot access decent housing, in a country where the crisis of materials, low salaries, and high prices -often in foreign currencies- turn any official proposal into a pipe dream for most Cubans.

The Cuban regime has chosen to construct housing with shipping containers as a solution to the housing crisis due to the scarcity of traditional building materials such as cement and steel. This measure aims to provide "creative and sustainable" alternatives in response to the economic and logistical challenges facing the country.

Container homes offer advantages such as high durability and the possibility of relocation, which reduces their environmental impact. However, in the Cuban context, the disadvantages include difficulties in acquiring complementary materials, bureaucracy, shortages, and lack of infrastructure, which complicate the effective implementation of this type of housing.

The materials crisis has led to a collapse in the housing construction program in Cuba, with only 12.4% of the plan achieved in the first quarter of 2025. The shortage of cement and other essential materials has been a significant hurdle, exacerbated by a paralyzed industry and a lack of investment.

In 2024, the Cuban government invested significantly more in the tourism sector than in housing construction, allocating 7.1 times more resources to tourism. This disproportionate priority has contributed to the deterioration of the housing stock and has left many families in precarious conditions with no visible solution.

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A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.

A team of journalists committed to reporting on Cuban current affairs and topics of global interest. At CiberCuba, we work to deliver truthful news and critical analysis.