NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
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•22 SEP 19 P3 :10
SENATE
S. No. 1325
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Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
AN ACT
INSTITUTIONALIZING A RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM TO END 
HOMELESSNESS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippines is one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia. 
However, our country continues to face a housing crisis. The reality reveals a grim 
situation in which housing is more of a privilege than a right for the poorest of the 
poor.
As of 2018, there were 4.5 million homeless individuals, which could be 
categorized into four: i) families on the street, ii) families of the street, iii) displaced 
homeless families, and iv) community-based street families. Even though government 
and non-government organizations have made extensive efforts to solve this crisis, 
there are still a lot of things that need to be done to help our countrymen in need out 
of their unfortunate conditions.
It is the policy of the State to end homelessness and provide access to 
affordable housing for all. In recognition of this, this bill seeks to establish a rapid re­
housing program, with the following program components: Housing Identification and 
Matching, Rent and Move-in Assistance, Case Management and Other Supportive 
Services.
What is crucial in this program is the fact that government assistance does not 
end by giving the beneficiaries a roof to temporarily stay on, but rather, the 
intervention is holistic - assistance will be given to cover move-in costs, initial rent


and deposits, and utility costs. This will allow these people to achieve stability through 
a combination of rental assistance, job assistance and other supportive services.
In order to effectively implement this program, the DHSUD shall create and 
maintain an inventory of all available rental and housing units wherein program 
beneficiaries can be quickly re-housed or relocated.
In view of the foregoing, early passage of this bill is earnestly requested.
"M. LAPID,
senator


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
S. No.1325
72 SEP 19 P3:10
RITE1’ I. D DV.
Introduced by Senator Manuel "Lito" M. Lapid
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AN ACT
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INSTITUTIONALIZING A RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM TO END
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HOMELESSNESS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Rapid Re-Housing
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Program Act."
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SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is declared policy of the State to end
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homelessness and provide access to affordable housing for all. Towards this end, the
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government shall ensure that a rapid re-housing program is institutionalized to enable
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individuals and families to quickly exit homelessness and eventually obtain permanent
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housing.
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SECTION 3. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Acy, the following terms shall
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mean:
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a. Rapid Re-Housing refers to an assistance program designed to help 
individuals or families who are homeless move as quickly as possible into 
permanent housing and achieve stability through a combination of rental 
assistance, job assistance and other supportive services; and
b. Homeless refers to a condition when: (1) a person or family lacks a fixed, 
regular, and adequate nighttime residence, and if they sleep in a shelter 
designated for temporary living accommodations or in places not designated


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for human habitation; or (2) when a person or household will imminently
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lose, within a period of 30 days, their housing, including housing they own,
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rent, or live in without paying rent, are sharing with others as evidenced by
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a court order of eviction, termination of a lease agreement, or any other
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credible evidence.
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SECTION 4. Rapid Re-Housing Program. - Under the administration of the
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Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), there is hereby
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established a Rapid Re-Housing Program which shall consist of the following program
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components:
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a. Housing Identification and Matching - encompasses helping homeless
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individuals and families find appropriate rental or permanent housing in the
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community, and contacting and recruiting landlords, proprietors, and
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developers to provide housing opportunities for individuals and families
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experiencing homelessness. It shall include aid in the aspects of short-term
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or medium-term rental assistance and tenant qualifications, completion of
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applications and preparation for interviews with landlords, proprietors, and
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developers, and helping households to determine if a housing option meets
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their needs and preferences, and help with moving or relocation;
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b. Rent and Move-in Assistance - the program shall offer financial assistance to
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cover move-in costs, deposits, and the rental and/or utility assistance
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necessary to allow individuals and families to move immediately out of
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homelessness and stabilize in permanent housing; and
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c. Case Management and Other Supportive Services - which shali inciude:
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i. 
Job and/or livelihood assistance;
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ii. 
Educational assistance or skills training;
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iii. 
Free iegal assistance for handling pending cases which directly caused
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homelessness such as eviction, rental arrearages, etc.;
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iv. Assistance with permanent housing applications;


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V. 
Regular home visits by the local social welfare and development office;
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and
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vi. 
Referral to other government programs and subsidies, where
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appropriate.
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SECTION 5. Inventory of Available Rental and Housing Units. - For purposes
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of implementing the Rapid Re-Housing Program, the DHSUD shall create and maintain
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an inventory of all available rental and housing units wherein program beneficiaries
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can be quickly re-housed or relocated.
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SECTION 6. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
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this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations of the DHSUD for the
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year following its enactment into law and thereafter.
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SECTION 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - Within sixty (60) days from
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the effectivity of this Act, the DHSUD, in coordination with other relevant government
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agencies, shall issue the necessary rules and regulations to implement the provisions
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of this Act.
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SECTION 8. Repealing Clause. - All existing laws, orders, decrees, rules and
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regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
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amended, modified, or repealed accordingly.
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SECTION 9. Separability Clause. - If, for any reason, any section, subsection,
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clause, or term of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, such parts not affected
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by such declaration shall remain in full force and effect.
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SECTION 10. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
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publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
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circulation.
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Approved,