A program administered by the National Housing Authority (NHA), this involves the acquisition and development of large tracts of raw land into serviced homelots or core housing units for families displaced from sites earmarked for government infrastructure projects and those occupying danger areas such as waterways, esteros, and railroad tracks.



Under the leadership of Vice President and HUDCC Chairman Noli de Castro, priority was given to the relocation of families affected by rail development projects, notably Northrail and the Rail Linkage Projects.  This is in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s program to decongest Metro Manila under her Ten-Point agenda.



The relocation of informal settler families affected by the rail projects is essential and crucial not only to pave the way for the development of a modern, efficient, adequate, economical and dependable public railways system for residents from North and South Luzon and Metro Manila, but more importantly to protect them from the hazards of living very close to danger areas - the railroad tracks.



In relocating the affected families, a beneficiary-led approach was utilized to ensure that they were given the type of assistance they need.  To the extent possible, an in-city/in-town relocation was adopted to avoid massive dislocation.  Serviced lots and housing units were provided, with the beneficiaries themselves involved in the construction of their houses. Government assistance was made available through the provision of land and the Home Materials Loan Program, payable on a long term basis.  Basic facilities, such as schools, potable water and electricity were installed in the relocation areas, while livelihood opportunities were provided to the people to ensure regular stream of income to the resettled families.