OSHDP STEPS UP EFFORTS TO ACHIEVE 6-POINT AGENDA AMIDST THE PANDEMIC
As the leading group of mass housing developers, OSHDP has taken initiatives to realize the role of the housing sector in helping revive the country’s economy, and urges its members to fully contribute to this common effort.
Guided by its vision of “growth through dignified, decent and affordable housing,” OSHDP undertakes housing initiatives and advocacies through its SixPoint Shelter Agenda.
To promote this agenda, OSHDP brought its regular monthly business forums online. Starting in June 2020, it has conducted a total of 23 Housing Talks webisodes, thereby regularly reaching out to its more than 200 members in 11 chapters nationwide, to clarify and find solutions to current and urgent issues affecting their businesses.
In pursuit of its 1st agendum, OSHDP maintained close coordination and consultations with the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) with the desire to institutionalize private sector participation before the Department and other housing-related agencies. OSHDP seeks to formalize its permanent representation in the National Human Settlements Board, the single policymaking body for housing and urban development.
To push for the agendum of “Improving Ease of Doing Business in Housing,” OSHDP has served as a resource entity and actively participated in the NEHEMIA Socialized Housing Sector and the Program for Construction Permitting of the Anti-Red Tape Authority. These discussion groups seek to formulate Joint Memorandum Circulars that establish a set of standards and streamlined processes to ensure efficient service delivery in the issuance of construction-related permits, licenses and clearances, across all government agencies concerned, including local government units, covering the whole spectrum from land acquisition to other downstream chains.
In promoting the 3rd agendum of “Expanding Housing Finance and Sustainable Incentive Program for Homebuyers,” OSHDP sustained meetings with the Home Development Mutual Fund to address OSHDP-member loan take out and other concerns. The Organization maintained the same coordination with other agencies, like the National Home Mortgage Finance Corp. and the Social Housing Finance Corp., which have bond floatation and other housing financing programs.
Along this line, OSHDP pursued advocacies for alternative financing schemes such as the grant of direct subsidies through housing vouchers, microfinance models, including assistance from public rental subsidy programs.
OSHDP likewise worked hard for the retention of the P3,199,200 Value-Added Tax exemption threshold for housing.
As part of its commitment to uphold fair access to land, the Organization has advocated for a genuine and balanced national land use policy in legislative and other forums. OSHDP also backed the urgent inventory of idle lands in urban areas for housing.
Under its 5th agendum of “Redefining Affordable Housing,” OSHDP joined other groups in working for the adjustment, as mandated by law every two years, of the building standards and housing price ceilings. The Organization continuously lobbies for a price ceiling on socialized housing that will ensure affordability for buyers without compromising the quality of houses. It has also supported alternative tenurial arrangements for housing, to complement homeownership.
To reinvigorate the housing industry while advocating for affordable housing for Filipino families, OSHDP has partnered with other real estate groups and the academe to prepare studies and research work for the continued inclusion of mass housing in the Strategic Investment Priorities Plan under the Corporate Recovery Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act (CREATE).
Lastly, advancing “Green Building, Resilient Settlements and Post-pandemic Approach to Designing Spaces,” OSHDP has partnered with the PROPTECH Consortium of the Philippines in promoting the adoption of sustainable, resilient, smart, and innovative technologies in real estate.