The 4PH adopts a vertical housing typology, promoting on-site, near-site, or in-city developments. It also envisions township developments integrating livelihood and other services (DHSUD 2022, 2024a).

Despite its ‘pro-poor’ objectives, the paper draws from 4PH and housing policy documents, to reveal how the program is fundamentally misaligned with the realities of its intended beneficiaries.

The paper shows that households in the bottom 30% income decile, including ISFs and informal workers, groups which the program claims to prioritize are ultimately excluded from accessing social housing. This paper concludes by offering recommendations towards a pro-poor approach to social housing initiatives.