Habitat for Humanity to host affordable housing forum BAHAYnihan on June 16

As the country continues to grapple with the pandemic’s economic, social, and health impacts, the housing crisis continues to intensify, even more so due to due to COVID-19.

To help address this challenge, Habitat for Humanity is calling onto the private sector to explore ways in which we can bridge this gap in the third series of the ‘BAHAYnihan: Rising Together through Housing’ forum on June 16 at 10 a.m.

Before the COVID-19 health crisis, the country’s housing backlog was already at 6.7 million. By 2040, it’s expected that the housing need will hit over 22 million. If true, the housing sector will need to build 250,000 houses a year to close the gap.

There are over three million low-income Filipinos who build their homes incrementally, some over decades, who have no access to quality building materials, formal finance channels, and training and information on appropriate construction technologies. With the added threats of COVID-19 and severe weather events, the need for proper housing is highly urgent.

The BAHAYnihan forum aims to build awareness of the Philippines’ housing needs, particularly to the unserved population, and how the business sector can explore viable, inclusive, and mutually beneficial business solutions to help address the housing gap.

“Based on the research by the University of Asia and the Pacific’s Center for Research and Communication, the unserved population is a market worth tapping into, due to its promising size and concentration in certain areas, which can provide the necessary economies of scale lucrative of the business sector to invest in while creating positive community and economic impact,” said Jessan Catre, Country Lead for the Philippine Lab of Habitat for Humanity’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter.

Keynote Speaker Secretary Eduardo Del Rosario of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development will present the accomplishments and interventions needed by the government.

The panelists will be led by:

• Cary Evert, former Hilti North America CEO and Board Member of Habitat’s Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter Advisory Board,
• Horia Adrian, President, and CEO of Holcim Philippines, and
• Noel “Toti” Cariño, President of the Chamber of Real Estate and Builders Associations, Inc.

They will discuss the key drivers and barriers in the market that undermine private sector investments in affordable housing, institutional reforms, and capacity-building initiatives. Businesses will also learn about investment opportunities for private financing on socialized housing and owner-driven construction.

Over 150 key leaders in government, business, and civil society are expected to attend the forum. Interested participants may register at www.bit.ly/BWBahaynihan.

SOURCE: Business World