The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) announced Wednesday that it is studying the integration of an incremental housing approach in select community mortgage sites in collaboration with a non-government organization.

This came after DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling on Tuesday hosted members of the Advocates of Housing for All (AHA) at the DHSUD Central Office to discuss ways to further improve the nationwide rollout of the Expanded 4PH Program.

The meeting focused on incorporating an incremental housing scheme into the flagship program, particularly for underprivileged families.

The DHSUD chief said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to widen the coverage of the Expanded 4PH and ensure dignified, safe, and affordable housing for Filipino families.

Incremental housing is a step-by-step construction approach that allows families to gradually build and expand their homes over time according to their needs and available resources.

“Ang incremental housing scheme ay tatapat at naka-base sa kapasidad at kasalukuyang pangangailangan ng ating mga beneficiaries. Sasabay sa pag-unlad ng ating mga beneficiaries ang uri ng kanilang tirahan,” Secretary Aliling said.

Aliling, joined by Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) President and CEO Federico Laxa and DHSUD and SHFC officials, discussed how the scheme can be embedded in the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program, one of the modalities under the Expanded 4PH.

He also underscored the need for strong collaboration with AHA—an NGO assisting urban poor groups—and community beneficiaries to ensure the success of the initiative.

To pilot the scheme, Aliling asked AHA to identify at least two ECMP sites where incremental housing could be implemented.

AHA representative Nathaniel von Einsiedel welcomed DHSUD’s openness to explore innovative approaches that could improve living conditions and uplift informal settler families.

DHSUD said consultations with communities will continue as it works to advance inclusive, sustainable, and affordable housing under the Bagong Pilipinas governance framework.

“Patuloy po tayong magbubuo ng mga programang pabahay na angkop sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang mga salat sa buhay na laging ipina-prayoridad ng Pangulong Marcos Jr.,” Aliling said.