Social Housing Finance Corporation (SHFC) and Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) have formalized their partnership to respond to the need of providing innovative and affordable housing solutions for poor Muslim communities.
SHFC and ADDU represented by their respective presidents, Ma. Ana Oliveros and Fr. Joel Tabora, S.J., signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last February 20 to strengthen their commitment in the development of a culturally-sensitive housing model through joint research, capacity building activities, and trainings, among others.
ADDU, through its Al Qalam Institute for Islamic Identities and Dialogue in Southeast Asia, has provided its expertise to SHFC and to its pilot community for a culturally-sensitive housing in Zamboanga in the past capacity building and training activities.
Oliveros said that partnership with multiple stakeholders made it easier for the government to innovate its policies so that it can serve a lot of poor families. She added that SHFC is also working with several local government units to develop programmatic approaches in responding to their housing issues.
“Housing is a basic human right that’s why the government should address the problem of homelessness. We should develop inclusive housing finance so that we can cater to all sectors,” Oliveros added.
In an earlier statement, Al Qalam Exec. Director Mussolini Lidasan said that the entire ADDU community is grateful with their partnership with SHFC and treats it as a great opportunity to reach out to both Christians and Muslims who are in need of shelter solutions. Lidasan added that the partnership is another victory in upholding cultural diversity and promoting peace building in Mindanao.
“The integration of a Sharia’h based mechanism in the whole project development brings us closer towards our goal to promote understanding and religious diversity. And providing impactful social service, and creating an environment of peaceful co-existence,” he said.
SHFC has earlier forged partnerships with other educational institutions like Ateneo de Zamboanga University and Xavier University to promote multi-stakeholder collaboration
in developing pro-poor housing policies.
SHFC is the lead agency providing flexible, affordable, innovative, and responsive shelter financing solutions to underprivileged communities. For more info, call (+632) 750-6337 loc. 821 or visit www.shfcph.com, and facebook.com/shfcph.
