| Housing consists of a mix of government provided rental units and privately owned housing. Those who own can bequeath to next of kin and can trade for another house or apartment of similar value, but ordinary sales are not allowed in theory (although in practice it happens regularly). If one owned an apartment or house prior to the Revolution, then one was allowed to continue owning it as long as one did not get it confiscated for being an enemy of the Revolution. Of course, many of the nicest houses were abandoned after the Revolution when most of Cuba's professionals and landowners fled. Many of the grandest homes in Cuba are now used as embassies or ambassadors' residences while others house enterprises in the emerging sector (that is, the new businesses jointly owned by foreign capitalists and the Cuban government). |
Maintained by William N. Trumbull. Updated 8/11/99