The Shomron community of Emanuel was expected to be the first chareidi city in Yehuda and Shomron, back in the 1980s. However, events being what they were led to investors pulling out, resulting in many persons paying mortgages for homes that were never built. Over the years, Emanuel became a ghost town but today, this is all changing.

Of recent years Emanuel has been building and is once again a growing community. On Wednesday 6 Kislev, representatives of chassidic courts were among the chareidi community representatives touring the city, being briefed on ongoing and upcoming building projects that may offer a solution to the severe chareidi housing crisis.

The visitors were briefed on different apartment projects currently under construction. At present, one may buy an 85 square meter apartment with two bedrooms for NIS 560,000. It was explained that officials are well-aware how difficult it is for a young couple to come up with a down payment and that is why for the project, a couple only has to put down 7% of the price at signing, which in this case amounts to NIS 39,200. The remaining sum only has to be paid when the keys for a ready apartment are given to the owners.

The visitors also saw the areas allocated for green space, parks, as well as public areas for shuls and educational institutions. They were told that a new industrial park was established near the city and it offers job opportunities to residents.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)