28th July, Philippines: A new housing programme launching today will give 150 children and caregivers sleeping rough in Metro Manila somewhere safe to stay.
An estimated three million people are experiencing homelessness in the capital and a significant proportion of this number are families and children. Between 250,000 and one million children are thought to be sleeping rough across the Philippines.
A partnership between international homelessness charity Depaul International and local agency the Vincentian Foundation, the new programme “Onward Home” is launched as a direct response to this unaddressed homelessness crisis.
Extreme weather events driven by climate change are exacerbating homelessness in the country. 2024 saw a record-breaking six consecutive storm systems hit the country in under a month. Studies have found that climate change made storms nearly twice as likely and increased the likelihood of at least three category 3-5 storms per year by 25%.
During the 2024 typhoon season, over 19,000 homes were destroyed, leaving thousands without adequate shelter.
Father Geowen Porcincula, Executive Director of the Vincentian Missionaries Social Development Foundation, said:
“Extreme weather events make life precarious, but even more so for those living in poorly constructed dwellings. Flooding, typhoons and heavy rains can cause these shelters to collapse, leading to loss of life and families with nowhere to go.
“Families I’ve worked with have been forced to sleep in makeshift shelters underneath bridges, in pushcarts, or simply out in the open air. Once on the street, they are exposed to multiple risks, including violence and exploitation. Children are particularly susceptible to abuse.”
Without housing, people are more likely to develop mental health needs and addictions. They face difficulties accessing stable employment, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Those sleeping rough are also at risk of dangers including exploitation, violence and trafficking, with 100,000 people estimated to be trafficked in the Philippines annually.
As one of Metro Manila’s only housing-based programmes for families experiencing street homelessness, the partnership will address homelessness by providing families with up to twelve months of housing.
Father Geowen adds:
“A home is not just a shelter, but a place of dignity, stability and new beginnings.
As the first families move in today, it is the first step on their journey towards a permanent home. Over the next 12 months, we will prioritise the psychological, emotional and employment needs of those we serve to ensure a successful transition into permanent housing.”
At Onward Home, families will receive a mental health assessment with a psychologist and guidance counselors. Access to psychological support and emotional intervention will be provided if required.
Each family will also work with a dedicated social worker who will help them move towards living independently. Caregivers will be supported to secure a sustainable income through livelihood training and can receive mentoring via the Vincentian Foundation’s Social Enterprise Development Center.
To ensure that the housing is disaster-resilient, a proportion of Onward Home’s houses have been renovated using cement-bamboo frame technology developed by Base Bahay Foundation. The houses, located at the Vincentian Foundation Kawayan Housing in Quezon City, are built to withstand strong winds, typhoons and earthquakes.
Matthew Carter, Group CEO Depaul International said:
“Every single child deserves a loving and secure home and no one should be forced to sleep on the street.
“Evidence from around the world shows us that housing is the most effective way to solve homelessness. That’s why today we are launching a new programme with the Vincentian Foundation, combining our expertise to open Onward Home. At Onward Home more children in Metro Manila will have a safe place to grow up in and call home.”