Developers back expanded public housing with 250K-unit pledge

Over 250,000 socialized housing units are set to be built by private developers as part of the government’s expanded national housing initiative, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) announced this week.

The commitment, formalized in a letter to DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling, was endorsed by 42 developers through four major industry groups: the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders’ Associations, Inc. (CREBA), the National Real Estate Association (NREA), the Organization of Socialized and Economic Housing Developers of the Philippines (OSHDP), and the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. (SHDA).

Dated July 7, 2025, the letter expressed the developers' “strong and unified commitment” to support President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. The pledged number of units totals 251,846.

“In manifestation of our shared optimism towards your administration and the potential of a recalibrated 4PH to deliver meaningful solutions…we are pleased to submit the initial list of private developers who have expressed commitment to participate,” the groups stated.

Developers cited several DHSUD policy changes that facilitated the pledge, including the streamlining of permits, adjustments to socialized housing price ceilings, modernization of technical standards, and the launch of Housing One-Stop Processing Centers (HOPCs).

To further accelerate construction, the groups proposed piloting a dedicated HOPC focused solely on 4PH-related transactions to improve inter-agency coordination and fast-track project implementation.

“This commitment is a huge boost,” Aliling said in a statement. “It’s a clear testament that the recalibrated and expanded 4PH as directed by President Marcos Jr. is on the right track.”

He added that the partnership would help deliver “decent homes and dignified living” to thousands of Filipino families in need of affordable shelter.

The housing backlog in the Philippines is estimated at over 6.5 million units, prompting the government to set an annual target of 1 million new homes. The 4PH program, a flagship initiative of the Marcos administration, aims to close the housing gap while creating jobs and improving infrastructure across communities.

Developers said they are ready to take on the challenge. “The private sector stands ready to do its part,” the letter read, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and scalable housing solutions.