DHSUD: ‘Yolanda’ housing completed this year

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) has vowed to finish all remaining permanent housing projects for victims of super typhoon “Yolanda” by the end of the year.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar announced that the National Housing Authority (NHA) has committed to completing the remaining 4,702 housing units under the Yolanda Permanent Housing Project (YPHP) by December 2025.

To date, the NHA has completed 53,917 units out of the 58,619 permanent housing requirements under the program, with 45,454 of these units already occupied by beneficiaries.

“It is the directive of our beloved President to ensure that all “Yolanda” housing projects in Region 8 are completed this year. Rest assured, the problems with ‘Yolanda’ housing will finally be resolved,” Secretary Acuzar said.

Acuzar presided over the ceremonial turnover of 3,517 housing units in Burauen, Leyte, attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The President underscored the importance of building climate-resilient housing to withstand natural disasters.

“To the DHSUD and NHA, I expect you to further innovate and adopt housing designs that are sturdier and more suitable to the challenges posed by climate change and the times,” Marcos said.

The newly turned-over housing units are located in various sites, including Cool Spring Residences, Riverside Community Residences, Mont Eagle Ville Subdivision, Coconut Grove Village, Dagami Town Ville and Pastrana Ville in Leyte; Marabut Ville Sites 1 and 2 in Samar; and the Culaba Housing Project in Biliran.

“We have built houses that are strong and designed to ensure the safety of your families amidst nature’s challenges. These disaster-resilient housing designs have been meticulously implemented by the National Housing Authority, capable of withstanding strong winds and earthquakes,” the President explained.

The YPHP housing units are granted at no cost to qualified beneficiaries displaced by “Yolanda” in November 2013, particularly those residing in hazard-prone areas.