The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) recently shared with new Housing Secretary Jose Acuzar what the new administration aims to achieve for the housing industry in the next six years.
In a courtesy call at the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (shown in photo), SHDA brought up the National Land Use Plan, with some balancing of the concerns of different sectors, preparation, and updates at the national and local levels, all of which would help organize and speed up development by both the government and the private sector in projects throughout the country.
According to SHDA Chairman George Siy, the DHSUD is the quarterback department in both the management of housing needs, and the organized urban development of the country. SHDA identified that access to land, additional affordable forms of finance, and policies on vertical development, are some of the keys for expanding production of housing. This is also in line with the adoption of a rationalized National Land Use Plan that President Marcos Jr. had mentioned in his State of the Nation Address.
Trading of ideas
Secretary Acuzar traded ideas with SHDA on how to unlock further access to sustainable financing for housing; on how to encourage the participation of other government and private financial institutions in housing finance.
He raised the goals of addressing the housing needs of the lower segment of the population, public housing, and reversing the increasing backlog, as major priorities of this government.
Innovative approaches such as rental housing, cooperative housing, and activities involving the national government, local government units, private sector, and importantly, the communities, were also discussed.
Seeking greater participation in housing initiatives
SHDA suggested that strengthening the incentives and addressing the price ceilings, especially for socialized housing, will enhance greater participation in housing activities that had been affected by inflation in materials, skilled labor, and raw land prices.
Secretary Acuzar gave ideas of many initiatives that this government and he were exploring as programs for the next six years, and assured the DHSUD’s openness to suggestions and continuing participation for SHDA and stakeholders.
These included working hand-in-hand with the local government units, and the beneficiaries, in the maintenance of the housing in their jurisdiction. Beyond housing, Secretary Acuzar explored concepts in community planning that will decrease the cost of living for the buyers, enhance employment, and living standards, in dispersed areas.
