In-city vertical housing projects for informal settler families (ISFs) are a relatively new approach in the Philippine context. As one of Manila local government’s flagship in-city, high-rise, mixed-income housing initiatives, Tondominium aims to provide decent and affordable housing while keeping jobs and services accessible for residents, especially for low-income households and ISFs. However, little empirical evidence exists regarding the impacts of such projects on ISFs in the local context. Thus, this study addresses this gap by examining the impacts of Tondominium among former ISFs from the demolished slum settlements of Vitas Katuparan, Tondo. Grounded in Terminski’s (2012) Human Security framework, this study assessed the multifaceted impacts of the project before, during, and after the relocation by drawing from the narratives and experiences of relocated ISFs and key stakeholders. 

Findings reveal gaps in participation, communication, and transparency among government authorities in the relocation process. Pre-existing vulnerabilities of the beneficiaries—low, unstable income, limited education, and unfamiliarity with paying rent and utilities (in the context of high-rise housing)—compounded by weak post-relocation support, uneven aid distribution, and ineffective livelihood programs, led to affordability concerns among most families. Moreover, the transition from informal settlements to a regulated condominium environment also caused significant socio-cultural challenges and adjustments among former ISFs. Despite these, most of them acknowledged improvements in housing quality, sanitation, health, discipline, and safety, as well as the benefits of relocating to a nearby and economically diverse site. Ultimately, the study underscores the need for thorough pre-relocation assessments of the beneficiaries’ economic capacity, developing livelihood programs aligned with their socio-economic realities, and facilitating consultative processes to ensure more inclusive and effective housing initiatives. Finally, the study concludes that in-city vertical housing can be a viable solution to the country’s rapidly increasing urban housing demand only if developed with genuine community participation, sustained, adequate, and context-sensitive support, and policies that promote inclusivity for the country’s urban poor.