Policy Builds the Houses, People Build the Community: The Structured Reintegration Model (SRM) for Former Rebels in Government Housing Sites

Reintegration policy can provide housing, but community cohesion develops through longer-term social, economic, and relational processes. This study examined the factors that strengthen or hinder community cohesion among former rebels in government housing communities and synthesized these findings into a theoretical framework for housing-based reintegration. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected former rebels from the Pineville Housing Project in Malaybalay City and the CDO Midland Valley Homes in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao. Participants were intentionally selected to reflect diversity in age, gender, duration of reintegration, and former organizational affiliation. Data were complemented by focus group discussions, immersion observation, and documentary analysis and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Findings showed that community cohesion is strengthened by institutional support, effective local leadership, and active participation in collective activities, which foster trust, shared responsibility, and social inclusion. In contrast, livelihood insecurity, behavioral problems, and persistent social stigma undermine trust, participation, and long-term community stability. The findings also revealed continued dependence on government assistance, raising concerns regarding the sustainability of reintegration outcomes. Integrating these findings with evidence from the broader research program led to the development of the Structured–Relational Community Cohesion and Reintegration Model (SR-CCRM), which conceptualizes community cohesion as a dynamic interaction among structural foundations, relational processes, and identity transformation, with sustainable livelihood serving as the central mediating factor. The study concludes that successful reintegration requires housing to be complemented by inclusive governance, livelihood opportunities, and sustained community engagement. The SR-CCRM provides an evidence-based framework to guide government agencies and community stakeholders in strengthening post-conflict reintegration policies and practices.

Reintegration, Community Cohesion, Former Rebels, Government Housing, SR-CCRM, Livelihood, Post-Conflict Peacebuilding, Philippines

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