A Catholic-led housing initiative has opened its doors to street-dwelling families in the Philippine capital region, offering shelter, psychosocial support, and livelihood assistance as part of a long-term effort to address urban homelessness.
Launched on July 27 by Depaul International and the Vincentian Foundation, the Onward Home program welcomed its first batch of beneficiaries at the Kawayan Housing site in Quezon City.
The program is among the few housing-based interventions in the capital that specifically target families living on the streets—150 children and their caregivers.
It draws from the Vincentian tradition of serving the poor and marginalized, in the spirit of St. Vincent de Paul.
“This is the greatest blessing the Lord has given us—one that I will never forget,” said Ma. Lhey Teresita Gocalin, a single mother who has lived without permanent housing for 16 years.
“Now that we are moving in here, I hope we can all come together and help this community flourish,” she added.
Gocalin, who had been raising her child in temporary shelters and on the streets of Metro Manila, received her family’s housing allocation on her child’s birthday.
According to organizers, the initiative responds to the worsening crisis of homelessness in the Philippines, where around three million people live without stable housing. Between 250,000 and one million of them are children believed to be “sleeping rough.”
“Extreme weather events make life precarious, but even more so for those living in poorly constructed dwellings,” said Fr. Geowen Porcincula, CM, executive director of the Vincentian Missionaries Social Development Foundation.
“Flooding, typhoons, and heavy rains can cause these shelters to collapse, leading to loss of life and families with nowhere to go,” the priest added.
In 2024, the country recorded six consecutive storm systems in under a month—a new national record. Climate studies cited by the program’s organizers suggest such events are nearly twice as likely to occur due to climate change, with a 25% increase in the risk of experiencing three or more Category 3–5 typhoons annually.
Fr. Porcincula said families forced to live under bridges, in pushcarts, or in open areas are particularly vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. “Children are particularly susceptible to abuse,” he added.
The Onward Home program offers families up to 12 months of stable shelter along with wraparound services.
Each household will work with a dedicated social worker and undergo mental health and psycho-emotional assessments. Psychological and emotional support will be provided as needed.
Caregivers will also receive training and job referrals, and may join the Vincentian Foundation’s Social Enterprise Development Center for mentoring in livelihood initiatives.
“A home is not just a shelter, but a place of dignity, stability, and new beginnings,” said Fr. Porcincula. “As the first families move in today, it is the first step on their journey toward a permanent home. Over the next 12 months, we will prioritize their mental health, psycho-emotional well-being, and economic stability to ensure a successful transition.”
A portion of the housing units were renovated using Cement-Bamboo Frame Technology (CBFT), an eco-friendly and disaster-resilient construction method developed by Base Bahay Foundation. The technology is designed to withstand typhoons, strong winds, and earthquakes.
“Every single child deserves a loving and secure home, and no one should be forced to sleep on the street,” said Matthew Carter, OBE, group CEO of Depaul International.
Carter emphasized that housing remains the most effective solution to homelessness and said the new partnership with the Vincentian Foundation brings together their shared expertise to provide children in Metro Manila with a safe and nurturing environment they can finally call home.
Depaul International and the Vincentian Foundation have collaborated since 2017 on housing and anti-poverty initiatives. The launch of Onward Home builds on that partnership as a model of faith-based, community-rooted response to urban homelessness.
