The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) and the Quezon City government have signed two memorandums of agreement (MOAs) that will pave the way for in-city rental housing projects for informal settler families (ISFs), marking a key expansion of the government’s flagship housing program.

Under the agreements signed Tuesday, DHSUD will support the construction of medium-rise residential buildings in areas identified by the Quezon City local government, including sites in Sauyo and Bagong Silangan. The projects will adopt a rental housing modality under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program and are aimed at families living along waterways and other danger zones.

The developments are expected to benefit around 2,900 individuals currently residing in high-risk areas across the city. Basic infrastructure and utilities—such as roads, power supply, drainage systems, and water distribution—will be integrated into the housing sites, DHSUD said.

The two rental housing projects are now in the final stages of coordination between DHSUD and the city government.

The first rental housing development under the Expanded 4PH Program is the Marilag Residences, located within the UP Diliman campus. Initial site works have already begun, and the project is expected to benefit at least 3,000 individuals once completed.

DHSUD Secretary Jose Ramon Aliling said the initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to broaden access to housing through diversified program modalities.

“Alinsunod sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. napalawak na natin ang 4PH para mas maraming makinabang. Ang pagsasanib pwersa ng DHSUD at Quezon City ay patunay sa pag-arangkada ng rental housing sa ilalim ng Expanded 4PH,” Aliling said.

“Sa pamamagitan ng mga proyektong ito na paniguradong ligtas at dekalidad, hindi lamang po natin inilalayo sa kapahamakan ang ating mga kababayan na nakatira sa mga waterways at danger zones kundi makakatulong pa tayo sa pag-resolba sa perennial na problema ng pagbaha,” he added.

The MOAs stemmed from an exploratory meeting last year between Aliling and Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, who expressed full support for the government’s push to institutionalize rental housing under the Expanded 4PH Program.

Upon assuming office last May, Aliling ordered the formal inclusion of rental housing as one of the new housing modalities under the expanded program, which traditionally focused on ownership-based socialized housing.

Beyond Quezon City, DHSUD said similar rental housing projects are expected to roll out in Victorias City and Iloilo City in the Visayas, signaling a broader national push for in-city and near-city housing solutions.

“Kasama po sa mga prayoridad ng ating Pangulong Marcos Jr. sa ilalim ng Expanded 4PH ang pag-aabot ng disente, mas ligtas, abot-kaya at may dignidad na pabahay para sa lahat,” Aliling said.

The DHSUD chief also stressed that the Expanded 4PH Program includes housing options for the working class, noting that its attached agency, Pag-IBIG Fund, continues to offer the lowest interest rates for qualified beneficiaries.