The National Housing Authority on Sunday said it has temporarily stopped accepting applications at its main office in Quezon City “to pave the way for a more systematic procedure of doing such” with help from the local government units.
In its official announcement, the NHA cited its mandate to provide quality and affordable housing units for the informal settlers; those living along danger areas such as waterways, railways, and those affected by government projects; families affected by the mandamus order of the Supreme Court to clean up the tributaries of Manila Bay; and victims of calamities and accidents.
“NHA is coordinating with the local government units to identify qualified beneficiaries for an affordable housing unit,” it said. “In the coming days, NHA will issue an easier procedure of application.”
It warned the public to transact only with the concerned agencies.
Last Feb. 3, NHA headquarters was flooded with over 3,000 applications for a housing unit.
The administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has stepped up efforts to address housing woes with the kick-off of its flagship program aimed at constructing over 6 million houses, which is expected to benefit some 30 million Filipinos.
The Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program envisions to construct 6.15 million housing units over the next six years and involves the transformation of informal settlements into prime residential sites and waterfronts and the rehabilitation of esteros, according to the administration’s 2022 year-end report.
Among the features of the program are in-city resettlement, high-density/vertical housing emphasis in highly urbanized areas, utilization of idle government lands and support of government financial institutions (GFIs) and private banks to provide development loans and end-user financing, among others.
It also involves the provision of interest support to reduce beneficiaries’ monthly amortization, local government units (LGUs) as the lead in implementing housing projects and participation by private sector developers and contractors as partners.
As of Dec. 22, 2022, the Department of Human Settlements and Development (DHSUD) has signed 47 Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with 39 LGUs and eight provincial LGUs.