Housing Institute Subordinated to Ministry of Construction

HAVANA TIMES — The Cuban government has decided, starting today, to subordinate the National Housing Institute to the Ministry of Construction, reported ANSA.

The role of the Institute will be “direct, execute and control the policy of the state and the government with respect to the construction, maintenance and repair of homes,” said Leonardo Andollo, deputy chief of the commission for the implementation of the reforms.

Other functions of the Institute, which for decades had been responsible for all processes and procedures relating to housing, will be transferred to a different body, though that entity was not specified.

The exact significance of the change should become apparent in the future.

The government is seeking to alleviate the national housing shortage, estimated at half a million units, with measures such as allowing the purchase and sale of houses and authorizing citizens to build their own homes