Senators question middle class housing, none for the homeless

Metro Manila, Philippines – Senators on Tuesday criticized the seeming lack of a housing program for the homeless, while the government plans to spend over ₱4 trillion on subsidized condominium units that they argued only the middle class can afford.

The Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Housing (4PH) program came under fire during the Senate plenary deliberations on the proposed 2025 budget for the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

Senator Risa Hontiveros, representing the DHSUD as budget sponsor, said the agency aims to complete 3.2 million housing units worth ₱4 trillion by 2028.

“Medium and high-rise, so almost like condominiums,” Hontiveros explained, adding that the program is intended to benefit minimum-wage earners.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said the agency’s primary mandate is to “formulate housing policies and programs… for the homeless and underprivileged families.”

In response, Hontiveros said the DHSUD has “complementary housing programs for the bottom 30%,” but noted that data from the National Housing Authority is spending. She also admitted that funding for these projects has not been included in the proposed 2025 budget.

Pimentel questioned the housing program for the homeless that had been “overtaken” by initiatives aimed at minimum wage earners and above – an argument supported by other lawmakers.

“Why are we providing houses for the middle class? They can buy from others because they can afford it. Our priority should be the poor and the homeless,” said Senator Cynthia Villar, whose family is known in the real estate business.

She said the poor cannot afford the ₱4,000 monthly amortization for the condo unit, but Hontiveros said the amount is just ₱2,600, with a plan to further subsidize and reduce this to ₱1,500. Other senators pointed out this is on top of possible association dues.

“Hindi nga nila afford e. Why will you insist on building them condominiums when you can distribute the land to them? ₱500 a month lang ang babayaran nila. Why will you insist on building condominium dahil kikita ka sa contractor ng condonomium na may porsyento ka roon kaya ini-insist mo yung condominium?” Villar said, addressing the DHSUD.

[Translation: They can't afford it. Why insist on building condominiums for them when you can distribute land to them? They would only have to pay ₱500 a month. Why insist on building condominiums? Because you will profit from the contractor of the condominium, and you get a percentage, that's why you're insisting on the condominium.]

She requested that the DHSUD allow beneficiaries to choose between a condominium unit and land through the community mortgage program. Hontiveros said she personally supports this approach, and that Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar has expressed willingness to implement it.

The Senate deferred the approval of the DHSUD’s proposed ₱6.36 billion budget for 2025 since lawmakers have more questions about the housing program.