These projects involve assistance to urban or rural poor communities that are in the process of upgrading, relocation, resettlement, or under the threat of demolition. These aim to help the people improve their settlements and gain security of tenure.

SANAGMANA (Federation of the United Urban Poor of Navotas) in Tanza, Navotas, Metro Manila

Informal settlers in Navotas whose homes were demolished or are under threat of demolition have resettled in an one-hectare, privately-owned site within the city in Barangay Tanza. They are planning to purchase the land themselves and develop the site incrementally. TAO-Pilipinas has given assistance by training the people on estate management and solid waste management; building awareness on planning and design standards; facilitating participatory community planning; and giving guidance/advice on technical requirements for land research/acquisition, site development, disaster risk management, and house design.

DSOP (Dike-Side Organization of Punta) in Sta. Ana, Manila

The informal settlers of Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila are affected by the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission’s (PRRC) 10-meter Environmental Preservation Area (EPA) Project. TAO-Pilipinas helped the organization present an alternative reblocking scheme to PRRC against what they felt as inadequate housing options. However, PRRC has maintained its position to pursue its clearing of the 10-meter EPA. TAO-Pilipinas advised the organization in the site selection, assessment and the selection of housing options for its resettlement. About 200 households have now chosen to transfer to a resettlement site in Rodriguez, Rizal. TAO-Pilipinas is currently drafting a proposal to the Asian Development Bank to train the community in estate management and solid waste management before they transfer to the resettlement site.

SAPSPA (Association for the Appropriate Housing of San Pablo Apostol) in Tondo, Manila

Assistance to SAPSPA involves the mobilization of student volunteers from the University of the Philippines Task Force Arki (a student organization in the UP College of Architecture) to design the upgrading of houses of beneficiaries who qualify for a loan from a donor. The students prepare the blueprints for the building permit while TAO architects give guidance and sign the final design. TAO has also mobilized student volunteers from other universities to assist in the construction and supervision.

DAMPA – DVNA (Solidarity of the Urban Poor – Dumpsite View Neighborhood Association) Kabisig HOA (Entwined Arms Home Owners Association) and Happy Family Neighborhood Association (HFNA) in Payatas, Quezon City

TAO-Pilipinas is coordinating with a geodetic engineer in the surveying of the area for titling of individual lots.

St. Hannibal Christian Community (SHACC) in Pasay City

TAO-Pilipinas is assisting two barangays (165 and 156) in proposing an on-site development with a total reblocking scheme to the government to accommodate about 500 families. This is being done in coordination with the Hannibal Empowerment Center (SHEC), a non-government organization based in Pasay City assisting the SHACC in their community needs. Finalization of the plan is on hold, pending the proclamation of government lots in Barangay 165 and the purchase of private lots in Barangay 156. But there is still a need to conduct an environmental study, as the Department of Public Works and Highways and Pasay City have declared the site a danger zone, and earmarked it for flood control. TAO-Pilipinas has linked the organization with environmental consultants, Seastems, Inc. and Manila Observatory for support on the environmental study.