Southville 7: Making Resettlement Work

Constructed in 1999, the housing project was originally meant for government employees, but its relatively isolated location and a lack of basic services and local jobs meant that only a few took up residence. It became a relocation site in 2006 when 700 families were displaced from informal settlements by a major fire and to make way for infrastructure projects. This was a time before housing projects and resettlement sites were designed to incorporate local services and social infrastructure, so conditions were not particularly conducive to rebuilding lives after displacement.

In April 2012, ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction (JFPR) approved a $1.5-million grant to address the growing challenges in Southville 7. Promoting Partnerships and Innovation in Poor and Underserved Communities recognized that community integration and organization would be crucial for the success of the resettlement site. With the ABS–CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation (ALKFI) as the implementing agency, the grant aimed to support multisector partnerships, community development and innovation, and social entrepreneurship.

In this collection of case studies, ALKFI and ADB are pleased to share the impacts, challenges, and lessons from the experiences in Southville 7, along with a framework that outlines the steps other organizations can take to make resettlement work.