The Politics of Urban Poor Housing: State and Civil Society Dynamics

Abstract

This article examines the dynamics of power relations between the state and civil society on the urban poor's housing needs given the political and governance framework that emerged after the ouster of Marcos in 1986 and the passage of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. In this period, the urban poor increasingly shaped their sectoral identity around the defining issues of housing, lack of security of land tenure, and poverty. By organizing and mobilizing community based and sectoral organizations, mediated by allied NGOs, the urban poor gained political leverage in elections and policy formulation. The urban poor eventually gained access to resources for their security of land tenure for housing by engaging the state in policy formulation resulting in favorable legislation. One social housing scheme adopted by government, the Community Mortgage Program, illustrates this structural and process interface and co-sharing of responsibilities of three principal stakeholders: the national government the mediator NGOs or local governments, and the beneficiary urban poor community association.