Philippine E-Journals

Some Reflections On The Policies Directed Towards Squatting And Slums

Edwin Milan

Discipline: Economics, Business

 

Abstract:

This paper attempts to explain the lack of success of housing programs. In brief, this is clearly a case of the inconsistency between what policy makers perceive as a need and what are actually needed. The least costly and most effective scheme would be to provide low-rent high-storey tenements rather than subscribe to rent and home financing subsidy schemes and earmarked income transfers. But its effectiveness depends on the ability of the local authorities to monitor the target beneficiaries, which is a very costly course of action. There will always be an incentive to convert such housing strategies into outright income transfers and thus render them ineffective.