More than 123 buildings in Armenia, Colombia, have been declared unsafe and will require demolition following damage caused by a recent earthquake, leaving hundreds of residents displaced and scrambling for new housing. The tremor struck on August 10, 2026, though no structures collapsed during the quake. However, assessments conducted by local authorities revealed extensive structural damage to over 123 buildings, with another 10,165 properties reporting some form of impact. This has forced many families to seek temporary shelter while awaiting decisions on their homes' future. In response to the crisis, real estate prices in the city have surged by more than 20 percent in just one week, adding pressure on those already struggling to find affordable alternatives. The situation escalated quickly after the earthquake. According to the mayor’s office, officials have inspected 1,100 structures so far, declaring 66 homes and 57 buildings at risk of collapse and uninhabitable. More than 4,000 individuals have been affected by these conditions, with thousands more still to be evaluated. The city's infrastructure secretary, Isabel Ortiz, noted that over 9,000 additional structures remain unvisited, suggesting the number of damaged or unsafe buildings could rise significantly in the coming days. A dedicated online platform was set up for residents to report damages, and engineers and architects have volunteered to assist in evaluations. Despite these efforts, the volume of requests has overwhelmed local resources, requiring patience from residents as priorities are determined based on photographic evidence submitted with each report. Residents like Juan Manuel Restrepo, who lives in a condominium in southern Armenia, describe the uncertainty and hardship they face. His building has been deemed at risk of collapse, yet he and his family continue living in the parking area of the complex. With six people and several pets sharing the space, Restrepo says the high cost of rentals and strict requirements for leases make finding a new home nearly impossible. He called on property owners with vacant units to offer assistance, emphasizing the need for both shelter and reduced costs. “We need somewhere to live,” he said. “It’s very hard to be outside with children and pets.” Others, such as Mónica López, have chosen not to return to their homes even though their buildings suffered minimal damage. Living in a nine-story apartment in central Armenia, she sustained only minor wall cracks but decided against returning due to fear of further earthquakes. With a newborn baby, the trauma of the quake and the difficulty of evacuation from the eighth floor left her shaken. She informed her landlord of her decision to vacate but has struggled to secure alternative accommodation, citing either lack of availability or exorbitant rental prices. “I can’t go back there,” she said. “There’s nowhere to go.” Authorities have identified damage to nine educational institutions and five universities in the city, raising concerns about the safety of students and staff. The mayor’s office has prioritized inspections of bridges and other critical infrastructure, alongside schools and universities. Meanwhile, the surge in demand for housing has driven up prices dramatically. Germán Sabogal, a resident whose apartment was damaged, described how listings on social media were removed and reposted with price increases ranging from 20 to 40 percent. “It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “People are taking advantage of our desperation.” Local officials continue to work through the backlog of inspections, seeking volunteers and additional resources to address the growing list of affected properties. While emergency measures have been implemented, including the provision of temporary supplies for displaced residents, long-term solutions remain unclear. For now, families are left navigating a rapidly changing market and uncertain futures, all while hoping for stability and support from the community and government.
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