SHFC at 21: Building Lives, Transforming Communities
Published on 20 January 2025

SHFC President & CEO Federico Laxa and DHSUD Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar brief President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. during his visit to Crystal Peak Estates in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
For 21 years, the Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) has been dedicated to providing safe and affordable housing to both formal and informal sectors. Established through Executive Order No. 272 on January 20, 2004, SHFC has played a pivotal role in addressing the country’s housing needs by financing innovative and community-driven housing programs.
Throughout the years, the corporation spearheaded key initiatives such as the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), Abot Kaya Pabahay Fund Program, High Density Housing Program (HDH), and, most recently, the Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program. These efforts underline SHFC’s dedication to making homeownership accessible to underserved communities.
The agency has also been entrusted with special projects supporting national development initiatives, including the Marawi Shelter Project, the North-South Commuter Railway Extension Project (NSCR-Ex), and the Strategy for the Inclusive Mainstreaming of People’s Living Entitlements (SIMPLE) Program.
When the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD) launched the 4PH Program under the leadership of Secretary Jose Rizalino Acuzar in 2022, SHFC was tasked as one of its key implementers. As a flagship program of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., the 4PH is designed to bridge the staggering 6.5 million housing gap in the country and ensure every Filipino family has access to adequate shelter.
SHFC is making remarkable progress at People’s Ville in Calinan, District, Davao City. Alongside significant breakthroughs in the construction of housing units, the initial 168 Notices of Approval from the Home Development Mutual Fund (Pag-IBIG) are ready to be issued to beneficiaries, formalizing the approval of their loan application in this 4PH project. This step brings families closer to realizing their dream of moving into their new homes.
An additional 1,000 units are expected to be delivered within the first quarter of 2025, following the completion of 10 more buildings. These developments will address the growing housing demand in the region.
“We are optimistic and confident in our ability to complete the construction of these 4PH projects to address the country’s housing needs,” SHFC President and CEO Federico Laxa said. “SHFC remains steadfast in its commitment to finishing what it has started, ensuring that our housing projects are completed on time and provide quality homes for Filipino families.”
Similarly, SHFC is making significant strides at Crystal Peak Estates in San Fernando City, Pampanga. The first building with over 300 units is ready for turnover to its future residents. Three more buildings, designed to accommodate around 1,000 households, are on track to be completed within the first quarter of the year.

People’s Ville will provide safe housing for over 7,000 families in Davao City.
Aligned with the DHSUD’s strategic direction and with support from fellow shelter agencies, SHFC has integrated its policies into the 4PH Program through its Community-Guided Financing Framework. This approach ensures a participatory process that empowers communities and promotes sustainable housing solutions.
4PH at full throttle

Construction at Crystal Peak Estates in San Fernando City, Pampanga is in full swing, with four buildings comprising about 1,000 units expected to be turned over to beneficiaries in the coming months.
Currently, SHFC is managing 12 4PH projects, including Valley View Township in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, Tandikan Ville in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, and Port Town in Tondo, Manila. These form part of the 112 initiatives targeting the delivery of over 505,000 housing units by 2028.
In April 2024, SHFC broke ground on two multistory housing projects—Pascualer 7 and Pascualer 10—in Novaliches, Quezon City. Seven months later, the corporation held a groundbreaking ceremony for a 4PH development in Los Baños, Laguna.
“Vertical shelter solutions are a practical approach to address housing backlogs in areas where availability of land is limited,” Laxa said. “These will also help address rapid urbanization issues such as uncontrolled urban sprawl.”
SHFC remains committed to scaling up shelter assistance and meeting its ambitious targets over the next three years. In 2024, the corporation entered into a number of agreements with local government units (LGUs) to collaborate on 4PH projects in different localities. These include memoranda of understanding signed with Pulilan, Bulacan and Cagayan de Oro City.
“These partnerships with LGUs are crucial in implementing the 4PH because they have an in-depth knowledge of the local community, particularly its housing needs, demographics, and geographic challenges,” Laxa said. “We will continue to work together with more LGUs, developers, and other stakeholders to help us create sustainable, inclusive, and community-centered housing solutions.”
Delivering results and supporting resilience

SHFC President & CEO Laxa leads the distribution of titles and certificate of awards to communities in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan in November.
From January to November 2024, SHFC released approximately Php 5 billion to finance various housing programs, benefiting more than 3,700 families. These initiatives provided critical support and resources, positively impacting the lives of the beneficiaries. In total, the corporation has disbursed over Php 36.6 billion to fund around 3,200 community-driven projects across the country.
SHFC’s commitment to advancing national development initiatives yielded meaningful results last year. In November 2024, SHFC turned over 165 housing units to members of the Intramuros Community Homeowners Association, Inc. through the SIMPLE Program in collaboration with the Intramuros Administration.
That same month, SHFC awarded 148 Certificates of Award to the members of Alpas Phase 1 HOA under the HDH program and over 60 transfer certificates of title to eight CMP communities during a housing caravan in San Jose del Monte City, Bulacan.
“This is a significant milestone for SHFC and in the lives of our beneficiaries as the tenurial security they achieved from our housing projects serves as a valuable legacy for the future generation,” Laxa said. “This achievement not only enhances their quality of life but also empowers them to build a brighter future for their children.”
Later this month, SHFC is set to break ground on two NSCR-Ex projects in Naic, Cavite that will generate over 4,000 units. It is also preparing for the turnover of Rizal Ville in Calamba, Laguna that will provide permanent housing for over 2,100 families displaced by the South Commuter Railway Project.
Contributing to greater cause
As of May 2024, SHFC has contributed Php 63.92 million in dividends to the National Treasury in support of the administration’s programs aimed at enhancing the welfare of Filipinos. This amount represents an increase of approximately 19 percent compared to the contributions made in 2023.
In response to disasters, SHFC granted a one-month moratorium to member-beneficiaries affected by Super Typhoon Carina and Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. Relief operations were conducted in Cagayan Valley and the Bicol Region in December 2024, delivering essential goods as part of President Marcos, Jr.’s directive to redirect savings from scaled-down Christmas celebrations toward disaster recovery.
These efforts underscore SHFC’s commitment to not only provide immediate assistance but also to foster resilience, empowerment, and shared responsibility in the communities it serves.
“Our goal goes beyond providing housing; we are also aiming to create sustainable communities where everyone can thrive and feel empowered,” Laxa said.
Despite the challenges in the housing sector, SHFC remains steadfast in its mission to provide affordable homes for Filipino families. With a clear vision, innovative programs, and strategic partnerships, SHFC is determined to achieve its overarching goal of ensuring housing for all, building lives and transforming communities.