The Subdivision and Housing Developers Association, Inc. (SHDA) started as a Subdivision Owners Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SOAP), which was registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on 06 May 1970. And in 1987, SEC approved the new name of the organization which is SHDA.
Since then, SHDA aimed to unite all the subdivision owners and developers under one organization and to influence government policies, laws and regulations that will enhance the viability of the real estate sector consistent with public welfare. While it supported a program of housing for the homeless, this was undertaken indirectly since most of the members of the SOAP focused on developing subdivisions without housing components.