DMCI Homes ventures into socialized housing – with style

MANILA, Philippines — DMCI Homes of the Consunji Group is not simply entering the socialized housing segment – it plans to do so with style.

The property development arm of DMCI Holdings intends to bring to its socialized housing venture the resort-style feel that its residential projects are known for.

“Right now, we plan to launch in a few months’ time socialized housing developments,” DMCI Homes president Alfredo Austria said.

“It will have smaller units, but a little generous in the open space. I think that will be our differentiation with other socialized housing because for us, our plan is to have lots of open space so it’s still resort-type,” he said.

Austria said the company is still working on the permits for the company’s initial socialized housing developments, with Cavite and Valenzuela among the initial locations eyed.

The projects will have around 18 floors, according to Austria.

He said that under the regulations of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, the price for a 27-square meter unit should be set at P1.8 million.

“Of course, it’s challenging because how will it stay affordable? So we really have to find ways on the design and construction. We really have to sharpen our pencils for it to reach that price,” Austria said.

“But we’re trying to make it as pleasant as possible. We’ve been working on it for several months because quality and affordability is important. So to make the design efficient, it needs several iterations,” he said.

DMCI Homes is one of the leading mid-segment developers in the Philippines, with projects in Mega Manila, Baguio City, Tuba in Benguet, San Juan in Batangas, Boracay, Cebu City and Davao City.

The company has also started to expand its portfolio into leisure and the high-end market.