SHFC turns 22, pushes people-led housing under 4PH
For 22 years, the Social Housing Finance Corporation has shaped the direction of socialized housing in the Philippines by putting communities at the center of development. What began as a housing finance effort has grown into a nationwide push to secure land, stability and dignity for low-income Filipino families.
As SHFC marks its anniversary, the agency continues to align its work with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. Its focus remains on serving both formal and informal sectors through inclusive, resilient and people-led housing solutions.
Community ownership at the core
At the heart of SHFC’s mandate is the Community Mortgage Program, which allows organized low-income groups to collectively acquire and develop land. The approach emphasizes community ownership, empowering beneficiaries to plan, build and sustain their own neighborhoods.
Beyond CMP, SHFC implements targeted housing initiatives that respond to urgent national needs. These include high-density housing for families living along waterways and danger zones in Metro Manila, as well as resettlement programs for displaced communities in Intramuros.
The agency also provides housing assistance to families affected by large-scale displacement, including those impacted by the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project and survivors of the Marawi siege. These interventions reinforce SHFC’s role in linking housing to broader social and economic recovery.
Vertical housing for urban growth
To address rising demand in highly urbanized areas, SHFC has expanded its vertical housing portfolio under the 4PH framework. Multistory developments such as Crystal Peak Estates in Pampanga, People’s Ville in Davao City, Valley View Township in Misamis Oriental and Port Town in Manila are designed to maximize limited land while maintaining access to services and livelihood opportunities.
These projects reflect a strategic shift toward compact, community-oriented developments that respond to rapid urbanization. The model allows more families to be served without sacrificing long-term sustainability.
From pioneering idea to national policy
SHFC’s roots trace back to the early 1980s, when the community mortgage concept was first piloted in Cebu with support from housing advocates and the national government. The initiative eventually became institutionalized through Republic Act 7279, or the Urban Development and Housing Act of 1992, which formally defined socialized housing.
In 2004, Executive Order No. 272 established SHFC as the lead agency for social housing, with a mandate focused on informal settlers and low-income families. The agency was tasked with delivering accessible financing while strengthening community participation in housing development.
Innovation accelerating delivery
Innovation has remained central to SHFC’s operations under the supervision of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development. In July 2025, the agency rolled out the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program, designed to speed up approvals and expand access compared to the traditional CMP.
Within months, dozens of ECMP projects were approved, securing land tenure for thousands of families nationwide. The program gained national attention during the 2025 National Housing Expo, where President Marcos Jr. awarded Certificates of Lot Award to hundreds of beneficiaries from ECMP communities.
SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa said the agency remains on track in delivering housing programs that help families secure the land they occupy. He noted that the ECMP strengthens SHFC’s commitment to safe, secure and inclusive housing.
Looking ahead, SHFC aims to further accelerate project approvals and deepen partnerships with local governments, national agencies and civil society groups. The goal is to expand access to dignified homeownership and bring the benefits of the 4PH Program closer to more Filipino families.
