During a question and answer period in the Knesset, Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon responded to a query from MK Uri Maklev regarding the critical housing shortage in the chareidi sector.

According to Minister Kahlon, the problem does not stem from his office but from mayors who simply refuse to build for the chareidi sector. Maklev recommended giving these mayors an incentive to build and bring in chareidim but Kahlon refused to commit to such a plan.

Maklev fired back, explaining “The Finance Minister promised to find a solution to the housing shortage and he is advancing reforms but most of the solutions are not resulting in an acceptable solution for the chareidi sector”.

Maklev feels the shortage in the chareidi sector has a direct impact on the housing market. He stated the chareidim have equal rights and since the chareidim are a large group, the situation vis-à-vis the housing shortage is critical. He insists the shortage in supply accompanied by the high demand of chareidim seeking to buy an apartment has resulted in an increase in the price of apartments.

Maklev warns that if something is not done, chareidim will begin buying in buildings that are not truly appropriate for them and this will have an impact on all sectors as well as the mayors in various cities.

Maklev explained the issue is the mayors, citing in Beit Shemesh, where the mayor is not opposed to chareidim, tenders were recently announced for 4,000 apartments.

Kahlon promised to continue working and weighing possible solutions towards resolving the housing shortage.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)