Millions of homeless Filipinos, or informal settler families (ISFs), will have a chance to avail of a monthly rental housing subsidy under the proposal of Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez.

The proposal of Romualdez is stated in House Bill (HB) No. 7230, of which Tingog Party-list Rep. Jude Acidre is also a principal author.

It is titled, “An Act establishing a rental housing subsidy program for informal settler families and appropriating funds therefor.”

Romualdez said the proposed Rental Housing Subsidy Program Act “shall provide social protection and support to ISFs in accessing the formal housing market under the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).”

“It shall be made an option to address the temporary relocation of displaced families due to natural and man-made disasters,” Romualdez said.

“Financial aid to low-income families or displaced individuals help afford decent housing in the rental market, acting as a flexible safety net when permanent solutions are not immediate. This gives better access to jobs/schools, and often serve as a bridge until permanent housing is available,” the Leyte House leader said.

In seeking financial assistance for homeless families, Acidre invoked a provision of the Constitution which mandates the State to provide “by law, and for the common good, undertake, in cooperation with the public sector, a continuing program of urban land reform and housing which will make available at affordable cost decent housing and basic services to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlement areas.”

Acidre said HB 7230 defines ISFs as “households living on a lot, whether private or public, without the consent of the property owner; or those without legal claim over the property they are occupying; or those living in danger areas such as esteros, railroad tracks, garbage dumps, riverbanks, shorelines, and waterways, as defined in Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 11201, otherwise known as the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development Act.”

“Rental housing subsidy” shall refer to the financial assistance provided by the government to pay for the temporary use or occupancy of a residential unit in the public and private rental housing market.

He said the measure provides that eligible ISFs shall receive a rental subsidy of P3,500 for those living in Metro Manila.

For those living in other regions, Acidre said the rate shall be determined by the DHSUD and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), taking into consideration the prevailing minimum wage and rental rates per region, but not to exceed P3,500 per month.

Acidre said the financial aid shall not exceed the actual rent.

“The DHSUD and NEDA may revise the rates at any time, but not more often than once every two years, to conform with the prevailing economic conditions,” Acidre said.

Rental subsidy shall be granted to eligible beneficiaries until the date of completion of the permanent housing project intended for them or upon their actual transfer to the permanent housing project, whichever comes first.

In case completion of the permanent housing project is delayed, the rental subsidy shall be extended, provided that the agency implementing the permanent housing project shall bear the cost of the extended financial assistance.

To qualify for the subsidy, homeless Filipinos must be ISFs as defined in the bill and vacate the informal settlement area presently being occupied and transfer to a safer and government-authorized area.

All eligible rental subsidy beneficiaries shall comply with the following conditions to continuously avail of the benefits under the proposed program:

(a) The beneficiaries shall not move or relocate back to the area in which they were originally living unless such move or relocation has been permitted by the proper government authorities, taking into consideration the purpose of the Program; and

(b) The beneficiaries shall pay to the lessor that portion of the rental fee not covered by the subsidy.

Rental subsidy beneficiaries who maintain good payment standing shall be prioritized as beneficiaries in government housing programs.

The proposed law also defines the responsibilities of relevant government agencies, including DHSUD, National Housing Authority, Presidential Commission for Urban Poor, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Home Development Mutual Fund, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

The DHSUD, in coordination with relevant government agencies, shall issue implementing rules and regulations within six months from the date of effectivity of the proposed law.