Background and objectives:

The project was a technical assistance initiative supported and funded by the Cities Alliance, using the resources of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and UN-Habitat as its members. The technical assistance was provided for the Philippines Government to develop the capabilities of the Local Government Units and the urban poor communities or the Homeowners Associations (HoAs) in key cities outside Metro Manila to work together and develop shelter upgrading plans for capital investment financing through the Development of Poor Urban Communities Sector Project (DPUCSP). DPUCSP is a USD 30M loan of the Philippine Government from ADB for the socialized housing sector through the Development Bank of the Philippines.

Activities:
The main activities included:

• Technical assistance provided through formal training and coaching to key partners (HUDCC and DBP) and pilot cities on the following areas:
• Shelter and Neighbourhood Upgrading which involved City Poverty Mapping, Definition of CWS strategy, Feasibility Study Development for identified projects, Development of Capacity Building Plan, and Development of Affordable Housing Design options;
• Social Development which involved Building Social Capital, Strengthening of Social Networks, Profiling of Communities, Capacity building of community associations, and Designing of community safety nets;
• Income Security covering skills training and linking with business and other institutions, Resource Mobilization and implementation of livelihood Activities, and planning and management of livelihood activities;
• Policy Learning that entailed introduction of pro-poor, asset-based neighbourhood upgrading approach for policy learning, both at the city as well as national level, and City Shelter Planning.

Results:
The results achieved were:

• Created/enhanced appropriate LGU structure like activation and/or strengthening of the Local Housing Boards and Housing Division/Units.
• Six (6) cities developed their Shelter Plans that rationalized long-term services to the informal sector and helped the cities identify and implement high impact shelter programs/projects, policies, through legislative support and budget approvals.
• Established NGO-PO-LGU partnerships that created new and affordable financing opportunities for the poor to develop and upgrade community infrastructure, housing, livelihood and basic services.
• Recognized and approved direct HoA Lending modality at the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) as an alternative mode of financing for shelter development projects.
• Broadened HUDCC and DBP perspective and capacity on HoA lending project development.
• Created access to alternative resources and opportunities for livelihood and skills training that increased productivity/income and possible reintegration of the project beneficiaries to the labour market, with strategic links to the business sector.
• Community facilities established through participatory planning approaches and adherence to provision in BP220.
• Increased women’s participation in community development planning.