The new policy that allows Cuban citizens to buy and sell homes was
presented as the abolition of one more “unneccessary prohibition” and also as a way
to address the housing shortage.
It can certainly do the latter by helping to redistribute the current
housing stock, allowing those few with too much space to sell it off. But that only goes so far.
How then to expand the housing stock?
Do-it-yourself is one way, probably with limited potential too, but the
government is trying to promote it.
Juventud Rebelde just reported that the government is
disappointed that 2011 sales in stores that sell construction materials were 72
percent short of the forecast. (Culprits
included uneven supplies and some high prices.)
It also reports plans to open 39 more stores that sell hardware and home
construction materials. The profits from
these sales, Cuban television reported (see Prensa Latina) are being used to provide home repair
grants for low-income households; this is a new program that has provided more
than 200 grants in the first month.
Beyond that, bank credits are also available.
Time will tell the impact of these measures. In the meantime, the stores themselves look
to be what many of Cuba’s small entrepreneurs have been waiting for. I saw one in Havana’s Miramar neighborhood
that opened in March 2011. While it had
some big-ticket items (compressors for paint spraying) and some that were way
overpriced (plastic garbage cans, $30-$70), there was a big variety of useful
products, many at good prices. There
were tools and materials for carpentry, painting, electric work, tile work,
plumbing, and more. Most items were from
China, with some from Spain, Taiwan (!), and the United States.
2 comments:
nice picture. thanks.
The insanity of what's going on with the embargo and not allowing Cuban's to have access to cheap building materials is disgraceful. In any case, it is what it is and hopefully we'll have a much needed change in the immediate future that will alter this sad and draconian path.
Post a Comment