President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.addressed housing issues in his 2026 SONA, highlighting the 'Abot-kayang pabahay' program aimed at providing affordable housing for Filipino workers.

However, government housing projects often fail to reach the urban poor as most are located outside city areas, creating challenges for low-income families with commuting and basic living conditions.

The article critiques the National Housing Authority's resettlement programs, which displace families from flood-prone areas and infrastructure zones, forcing them into distant sites without reliable utilities.

It emphasizes the need for community-driven solutions like the Community Mortgage Program (CMP), which allows informal settlers to collectively negotiate land purchases and secure affordable financing.

The piece also highlights the importance of secure land tenure through presidential proclamations, offering a low-cost alternative to off-city resettlement.

Despite Marcos' focus on reducing housing shortages, the article argues that true success lies in ensuring urban poor families can live with dignity in their communities, rather than relying solely on relocation or government-led projects.