3. DSHUD

Policy in Action: Accelerating Access to Safe Socialized Housing

At the Socialized Housing Forum, Undersecretary Henry Yap of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) reframed the conversation on housing, arguing that the challenge is no longer just about building homes, but about rethinking how housing supports livelihoods, dignity, and long-term resilience.

Yap began by questioning the traditional notion of housing as simply a physical structure. While homeownership has long been seen as a core Filipino aspiration, he emphasized that this definition is no longer sufficient in today’s context. “A house that is far from work, or one that a family cannot sustain, does not fully serve its purpose,” he noted–pointing instead to housing as a holistic system that must support economic stability and quality of life.

This shift in perspective is reflected in the institutional changes brought by Republic Act 11201, which created DHSUD as the central authority overseeing the housing sector. By consolidating policy, regulation, and coordination functions under one department, the law aimed to address longstanding inefficiencies and fragmentation across the housing value chain.

However, Yap was candid about the constraints facing government. Despite the scale of the housing backlog, funding for the sector remains limited. DHSUD itself operates on a relatively small budget, with the broader housing sector receiving only a fraction of national government spending over the years. This gap between available resources and growing demand has forced a strategic shift. Rather than acting solely as a direct provider of housing, the government is repositioning itself as a strategic enabler–working to unlock capacity across the private sector, local governments, and financial institutions. This includes encouraging local governments to make land available for development, streamlining regulatory processes, and promoting joint ventures that can expand housing delivery beyond what government alone can achieve.

A key priority in this shift is addressing the inefficiencies that slow down housing production. Yap acknowledged concerns raised by earlier speakers regarding lengthy permitting processes and committed to reforms such as a one-stop-shop system that simplifies and digitizes approvals.

Reducing delays, he noted, is not just a matter of convenience, but it directly impacts affordability. Every day saved in processing translates into lower costs, which can then be passed on to homebuyers. At the same time, DHSUD is expanding its approach to housing delivery through programs like the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH).

While homeownership remains a goal, Yap emphasized that it is no longer the only pathway being pursued. Instead, the government is promoting multi-modal housing options, including rental housing near employment centers and support for community-led land ownership initiatives. This reflects a broader recognition that different segments of the population require different solutions–particularly informal settlers and low-income households who may not be able to take on long-term mortgages immediately.

In parallel, DHSUD is also integrating climate resilience into housing policy. With increasing exposure to flooding and environmental risks, Yap stressed that housing must be designed not only to be affordable, but also sustainable and safe over the long term. Efforts are underway to support local governments in developing data-driven land use plans and to promote the use of cost-efficient, environmentally responsive building materials–ensuring that homes remain assets rather than liabilities for families. Ultimately, Yap framed the housing challenge as one that requires collective action.

Developers, financiers, and local governments all play a role in expanding access to housing, while national government provides the policy direction and enabling environment. Success, he argued, should not be measured solely by the number of units built, but by the extent to which housing improves lives and restores dignity. And in this evolving approach, housing is no longer just about shelter–it is about creating conditions where Filipino families can live, work, and move forward with stability.