In the midst of a serious housing crisis, the Cuban regime agreed to extend the deadline for legalizing homes, rooms, and premises in Cuba until December 31, 2025.
According to the official website Cubadebate, the Council of Ministers made the aforementioned decision, which came into effect following its publication in the Official Gazette No. 26 (extraordinary) on Friday, May 23.
The government's idea is to give more time to Cubans who need to regularize their properties, "while also simplifying the required procedures."
According to Marvelis Velázquez Reyes, director of Legal Affairs of Housing at the Ministry of Construction (Micons), this extension updates the agreement that has been in effect since May 2019, the implementation of which was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, preventing many citizens from submitting their applications.
A more efficient and accessible process
This extension facilitates the legalization of properties without legal status or that do not meet construction formalities, as long as they comply with territorial and urban regulations.
Velázquez Reyes noted that interested parties can submit their applications to the Municipal Housing or Territorial Planning and Urbanism Departments, with the aim of obtaining property rights, usage, and enjoyment of the real estate.
Additionally, Agreement 10108 from the Council of Ministers removes the requirement for Municipal Housing Directors to conduct a property survey and description, leaving only the technical report from the Territorial and Urban Planning department. This simplification will reduce the process time by 15 days.
Who can benefit?
The potential beneficiaries include:
Permanent tenants of state housing, except for those who have been sanctioned for illicit enrichment, drug-related offenses, corruption, or other crimes.
Occupants and usufructuaries of rooms, quarters, or facilities adapted as residences.
People with housing and premises constructed by the State without complying with legal formalities.
Residents of rural and urban areas yet to be regularized, and vulnerable populations such as persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and elderly adults.
The official urged those who have not yet started the process to take advantage of this extension to legalize their property and enjoy the benefits offered by the agreement. She also informed that the more than 19,000 pending cases from the previous process will receive a response from the Municipal Housing Departments.
It is worth remembering that it was in 2019 when the regime in Havana decided to implement new legal norms aimed at the organization and legalization of houses, rooms, accommodations, and commercial spaces, in search of housing solutions in a country where there was—at that time—a deficit of nearly one million homes. Nothing has changed regarding this matter.
In fact, the Housing Program in Cuba ended 2024 with results well below expectations, amidst a deep economic crisis that impacted the availability of materials and energy resources.
In December, a report confirmed the severe housing crisis that the island is facing: only 65% of the existing homes in the country are in good technical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Extension for Legalizing Homes in Cuba
What is the new deadline for legalizing homes in Cuba?
The deadline to legalize housing, rooms, and premises in Cuba has been extended until December 31, 2025. This extension aims to facilitate the procedures for Cubans who need to regularize their properties, simplifying the required processes.
Who can benefit from the extension to legalize properties?
The beneficiaries include permanent tenants of state housing, occupants of rooms adapted as housing, and individuals with properties built by the State without legal formalities. Residents of unregulated rural and urban areas and vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly are also included.
What changes have been made to the housing legalization process in Cuba?
The process now eliminates the requirement to conduct a site survey and description of the property. Only the technical opinion from Urban Planning and Land Use is needed, which reduces the processing time by 15 days.
How does the economic crisis affect the legalization of housing in Cuba?
The economic crisis has impacted the availability of materials and resources for housing construction in Cuba. This has led to the Housing Program closing 2024 with results far below what was planned, exacerbating the housing crisis on the island.
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