SHDA commits to inclusive, sustainable housing industry

CEBU, Philippines — The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) has reaffirmed its commitment to building affordable and sustainable housing units to help the Philippines address its housing backlog problem.

SHDA’s newly elected president, Francis Richmond Z. Villegas, announced that the group is set to implement strategies that prioritize affordability, innovation, and regional collaboration to create a more inclusive and sustainable housing industry.

“The housing sector is at a critical juncture, and SHDA is committed to driving meaningful reforms and innovative solutions to address the country’s growing housing challenges. With the 2025–2040 Housing Roadmap as our guide, we aim to foster stronger collaboration with government and private stakeholders, promote sustainability, and empower our members to deliver quality, affordable housing to Filipino families,” said SHDA Chairman Leonardo B. Dayao Jr.

Building on the momentum of 2024, SHDA’s 2025 agenda focuses on addressing the housing backlog through strengthened partnerships and regional engagement. These efforts aim to tackle local concerns faced by developers in various regions and include plans to establish new SHDA regional chapters.

SHDA also plans to enhance engagement with sponsors and partners through expanded networking events and collaborative agreements, ensuring mutual growth and benefits for developers, sponsors, and stakeholders.

Villegas highlighted the importance of collaboration and grassroots support in achieving these goals.

“Our primary focus for 2025 is sustaining SHDA’s collaborative partnerships with government agencies to continue lobbying for housing policies and initiatives. At the same time, we are committed to bringing services closer to our members by empowering regional chapters and addressing grassroots concerns. These combined efforts aim to make housing more accessible and sustainable while fostering a deeper connection between SHDA and its stakeholders,” Villegas said.

According to Villegas, SHDA continues its pledged support for the government’s Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino Program (4PH), which seeks to eliminate the housing backlog within six years.

The association works with public and private stakeholders to explore innovative solutions, including rent-to-own and public housing programs, to cater to various population segments.

Sustainability remains at the forefront of SHDA’s initiatives, with a focus on promoting climate-responsive designs, the use of indigenous materials, and green building technologies.

To enhance its members’ competitiveness, SHDA plans to conduct study tours in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam to adopt best practices and innovative housing models, Villegas added.

Additionally, the association is integrating emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), to streamline housing production and improve developers’ operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, preparations are also underway for the 2025 National Developers Convention, which serves as a vital platform for industry collaboration. The event will bring together key stakeholders, including government officials, developers, and experts, to discuss actionable solutions for the sector’s most pressing challenges.

In 2024, SHDA made significant strides that laid the foundation for its 2025 agenda. One of its landmark achievements was the development of the Philippine Housing Industry Roadmap (2025–2040), a comprehensive framework created in collaboration with national and local government agencies, academic institutions such as the University of Asia and the Pacific, private developers, and other housing organizations such as OSHDP, NREA, and CREBA.

The roadmap identifies critical gaps in housing delivery and outlines strategies to reduce the housing backlog while aligning with the country’s economic goals.

The association also successfully lobbied for the adjustment of the socialized housing price ceiling, resulting in DHSUD-NEDA Joint Memorandum Circular 2024-001. This policy increased the guarantee ceilings for low-cost housing to PhP 4,900,000 and medium-cost housing to PhP 6,600,600, making homes more accessible to Filipino families.

Also, SHDA championed the inclusion of housing in the government’s Strategic Investments Priority Plan (SIPP) for 2025–2027, which provides incentives to private developers.

Legislative advocacy also played a crucial role, with SHDA engaging policymakers to address issues such as the removal of the land conversion requirement and the regular adjustment of socialized housing price ceilings.

Currently, SHDA has 350 members nationwide and eight regional chapters. Its member developers are responsible for building 80 percent of the homes produced annually in the country. — (FREEMAN)