About Us

The Human Settlements and Environment Program is one of the five programs of TAO-Pilipinas, Inc. It is a response to the growing problem of homelessness, lack of security of tenure, and the limited access to housing support mechanisms of the majority of the Filipinos. This program primarily covers architecture, engineering and the planning aspects of human settlements with a strong emphasis on social empowerment.

Under the HSE Program, TAO-Pilipinas extends direct technical assistance to urban and rural poor people’s organizations and NGOs to help them negotiate for security of tenure or plan and develop an on-site settlement or resettlement site, with a strong emphasis on community participation and social empowerment. We provide the following technical services:

  • Coordination of land survey and titling between surveyor and urban poor organization;
  • Conceptual development planning of occupied site for negotiations to acquire security of tenure;
  • Subdivision planning of acquired land for socialized housing; and
  • Design of housing unit, community facilities and infrastructure.

We are also engaged in promoting appropriate, cost-effective, and environment-friendly housing approaches and building technologies responsive to the needs of the marginalized sectors.