Hurricanes worsen deficit of housing

A severe housing shortage in Cuba was worsened by two hurricanes that left another 440,000 homes on the island in dire condition. FLORIDA, Cuba -- WITHOUT HOMES, HOPE The wooden one-room shack where Humberto Díaz lived in central Cuba is technically still standing, but the planks that made up its roof snapped into multiple pieces when Hurricane Ike sent a palm tree crashing through. He spent a recent afternoon scrounging materials off the floor to use in rebuilding, and hopes to buy shingles at about $4 apiece. Díaz doubts the Cuban government help will come in time: Too many people are waiting. ''The last time a storm damaged my house, it took the state four months to get me materials,'' he said, covered in wood chips as he chopped the remains of the palm that claimed his house. ``We'll have to rebuild it ourselves.'' Díaz... [read full story]