Socialized housing remains unaffordable despite expanded 4PH program — study

POOR FILIPINOS will likely remain unable to afford housing even under the government's expanded flagship program due to low wages and the lack of job security, according to a research paper published by the University of the Philippines Center for Integrative and Development Studies.

- Beatriz Marie D. Cruz

“While the Expanded 4PH provides diverse housing options, it may still fall short in improving affordability and accessibility for the poorest and is unlikely to address broader structural barriers without broader structural reforms,” according to the study authored by Rafael Vicente V. Dimalanta, Vincent Eugenio, Abigail Roa, and Jay-R Panagsagan.

“The diversification of modalities has yet to resolve the core accessibility and affordability challenges of social housing for the poorest, shaped by broader structural issues such as low wages, precarious work, and weak land governance,” it said.

The study estimated that it would cost a total of P8,324.06 monthly to avail oneself of a housing unit under the expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program.

This comes as a mid-range high-rise unit under the 4PH Program that costs P1.5 million will require a monthly amortization of P6,324.06 for the first 10 years, according to government data. The researchers said a 4PH beneficiary may incur further additional expenses related to high-rise living, such as maintenance and operational fees, which could amount to P2,000.