Millions of homeless Filipinos living as informal settler families (ISFs) may soon receive a critical financial lifeline. House Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez, alongside Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre, has introduced House Bill No. 7230 to establish a national rental housing subsidy program. This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between displacement and permanent relocation by providing up to P3,500 monthly to help families afford decent living spaces in the formal rental market.
The proposal is designed to act as both a safety net and a catalyst for social mobility. Romualdez explained that the Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act “shall provide social protection and support to ISFs in accessing the formal housing market under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).” Beyond daily housing needs, the Speaker noted that “it shall be made an option to address the temporary relocation of displaced families due to natural and man-made disasters.”
This financial support is more than just a payment; it is a strategic tool for stability. According to Romualdez, “Financial aid to low-income families or displaced individuals help afford decent housing in the rental market, acting as a flexible safety net when permanent solutions are not immediate. This gives better access to jobs/schools, and often serve as a bridge until permanent housing is available.”
Rep. Jude Acidre highlighted that the bill targets those living in high-risk areas like esteros, railroad tracks, and shorelines. He defined the subsidy as “financial assistance provided by the government to pay for the temporary use or occupancy of a residential unit in the public and private rental housing market.” While the cap is set at P3,500 for Metro Manila, Acidre noted that for other regions, “the rate shall be determined by the DHSUD and NEDA, taking into consideration the prevailing minimum wage and rental rates per region, but not to exceed P3,500 per month.”
To ensure the program remains relevant to the economy, Acidre added that “The DHSUD and NEDA may revise the rates at any time, but not more often than once every two years, to conform with the prevailing economic conditions.” This subsidy remains active until a family’s permanent housing is ready, ensuring that no Filipino is left without a roof during the transition period.|PR
