SHDA pushes roadmap for affordable housing in the Philippines

SHDA executives outline plans for the next decade, with focus on the young working middle-class market and industry collaboration with the government.

In the Philippines, perhaps no other authority in housing and urban development could have as significant a voice in the industry as the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. or SHDA.

Being the foremost industry association in the last 50 years, SHDA looks at the next decade as an opportunity for housing to be a strong driver of economic growth and social intervention.

Recently, Real Estate Asia Magazine got to interview SHDA Chairperson Arlene Keh and SHDA President Bido Dayao to solicit their insights on their role in bridging the gap between supply and demand and addressing the country’s housing backlog, which currently stands at six and a half million units.

For Keh, the industry must meet the needs of the young working middle-class and tackle the foreseen challenges with immediate intervention that aligns with the implementation of the comprehensive housing industry roadmap.

In collaboration with the Centre for Research and Communication, the roadmap was originally crafted for the years 2012 to 2030 and is currently undergoing updates to account for new developments and emerging trends, Keh explained.

“Roadmap solutions [are] aimed to help the government bridge this [supply and demand] gap and serve as a guide for both the government and the private sector in the pursuit of strategies, policies, and overall growth and development in the housing industry,” she said.

The SHDA’s roadmap focuses on four key concerns: access to land for settlements and streamlining the permitting process; finding sustainable and affordable housing solutions; increasing the production of resilient and innovative housing communities; and incentivising private sector participation in segments with high housing backlogs.

Keh also highlighted the need to address climate change concerns and adopt disruptive technologies to enhance construction methods and project management.

Dayao stressed how the SHDA maintains a strong partnership with the Home Development Mutual Fund (HDMF), also known as Pag-IBIG Fund, and why this is critical.

The Pag-IBIG fund plays a vital role in providing developers with access to capital for sustained development and affordable financing options for both developers and homebuyers.

“[The] HDMF has actually announced the availability of some P125 billion for home financing and said the members will continue to build and deliver quality and affordable housing to support and access the HDMF plan,” said Dayao.

So, the SHDA is actively working with HDMF to improve and simplify processes through digital technologies, making loan and membership procedures more convenient for local and overseas Filipino workers.

Given the significant number of overseas Filipino workers, SHDA aims to facilitate their aspirations of owning homes in the Philippines, leveraging online platforms and exhibitions to showcase available housing units and products.

When asked about sustainability and inclusivity in housing projects, Keh emphasised the SHDA’s active participation in supporting government policies and planning activities at the national and local levels.

This involvement ensures that sustainable, affordable, and inclusive housing interventions are integrated into strategies, policies, and programs, benefiting both developers and homebuyers.

During this interview, Dayao also unveiled the SHDA Cares program, which is their corporate social responsibility initiative.

The program focuses on addressing homelessness, providing skills training for enhanced employment, and engaging in community outreach and calamity response efforts.

SHDA has partnered with organisations such as Habitat for Humanity and the Rotary Club to make a positive social impact and contribute to an inclusive and sustainable future.

As SHDA continues to forge ahead, Keh and Dayao expressed their commitment to working closely with the government, private sector, and relevant organisations to ensure that more Filipinos have access to affordable and quality housing.