Bill seeks free government housing for qualified homeless Filipinos

MANILA, Philippines — A proposed Senate measure could give qualified low-income and homeless Filipinos access to free government housing without transferring ownership of the property to beneficiaries.

Senate Bill No. 2421, or the “Free Housing Through Usufruct Act,” filed by Sen. Francis Escudero, would allow eligible families to occupy and use government-owned land and housing for residential purposes while ownership remains with the State.

Escudero said the measure would cover Filipinos who do not own real property and are not professional squatters or members of squatting syndicates.

Under the proposal, beneficiaries would sign usufruct agreements outlining their responsibilities, including maintaining the property and paying utilities. They would also be prohibited from selling, leasing, mortgaging or transferring the housing unit.

“Through usufruct, this bill seeks to grant Filipino families the right to occupy, use, and enjoy government land and improvements for residential purposes, while ownership remains with the State,” Escudero said.

Violators could lose their right to occupy the property and face a 10-year ban from government housing programs.

The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development would oversee the program, while local governments would manage the properties and ensure access to basic services.

The bill has passed committee deliberations and is now awaiting plenary debate.

For families without a home, the proposal could offer something more valuable than ownership, a secure place to live without the fear of being displaced.