Israeli government passes measures to boost housing availability

Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by Buy-It In Israel Staff in Israel Real Estate

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The Israeli government last week approved a series of operative steps which are meant to significantly boost the number of available residential units that will be marketed to the public. The steps, which are specifically targeted to increase the availability and affordability of apartments for young couples, were approved by the ministerial committee on the reform in the Israel Land Administration.

As a first step, the committee decided to cancel a decision that was made around two years ago, which impeded planning for apartments in high-demand areas. The decision was taken after the measure had not proven itself over the past two years and was among the factors that led to a fast rise in prices for housing in high-demand areas. As a result of the sharp price increases potential home-seekers, especially those with low incomes, had great difficulties, to purchase and rent housing in these areas.
Secondly, the committee decided to promote the accelerated development of land for residential purposes along transportation routes in the Galilee and the Negev in order to encourage residents to move to these areas. More specifically, it was decided to step up the planning and marketing of residential units in order to attract quality populations to these areas and provide them with a high quality of life. Part of the development will include future transportation infrastructures to provide residents with quick access to the center of the country.
Thirdly, in an effort to combat the shortage of small apartments, which makes it difficult for young couples to buy their first apartment, the committee decided that in the new plans being submitted to district [planning and building] commissions in Israel, including those submitted by the ILA and the Construction and Housing Ministry, 20 percent of the units will be small apartments designated for young couples. The committee also decided to allow the district commissions to increase the number of apartments designated for young couples in existing plans even if the original blueprints do not call for such plans.

In order to advance projects, which are not moving forward due to various impediments the committee decided that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu would chair a special ministerial committee that will work to locate and deal with planning and financial impediments.

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2 Responses to “Israeli government passes measures to boost housing availability”

andrea zidkilov
21. Jul, 2010
It sounds really good, but:
1. When will this plan been implemented?
2. When will these development be ready for people who need it
3. Public transportation route to the center – is there any concrete plan on the improvement of public transportation to the center? When will they start the project, and when can people expect to have these transportation route done?
As far as I aware of, it can take ages for Israeli to get one high way done, or months to fix a short street! If people buy their house/first home in Galilee/Negev, will they have to wait for 10 years to have these facilities? How will that impact their life/work if they buy their home in the above mentioned area without efficient transportation to the center?
Ephrayim Naiman
23. Jul, 2010
“20 percent of the units will be small apartments designated for young couples”
Unfortunately, local municipalities then let developers change the plans and make larger (and fewer) apartments/homes, thereby circumventing this decision.