The Israeli housing crisis in general and the Charedi housing crisis in specific is not something that is going away quickly. As more newly married couples find themselves without a roof of their own over their heads, politicians on the municipal and national level are struggling to come up with a suitable solution. While real-estate moguls are recommending the creation of new Charedi towns to help solve the problem, what politicians are suggesting is the expansion of the city of Telz-Stone to more than double its current size.

Sales of land surrounding the town have already begun and Charedi families re being encouraged to purchase the land in an effort to build homes for their burgeoning or future families in the Charedi city that is closest to Jerusalem. Telz-Stone has been the most succesful Charedi city outside of Bnei Brak and parts of Jerusalem. With the intention that the land purchses will enable the construction of thousands of apartments and houses, numerous entities have begun putting out feelers to help the proects unfold in the near future.

Deputy Education Minister Meir Porush has been very active in helping the plans for the expansion of the city take shape. Real estate promoters met with the Deputy Minister and explained their plans and how they hope to make the new projects attractive to Charedi families and investors. They discussed geography and showed the Deputy Minister maps of the area that dilineated the plans for expansion. According to the promoters, families that move in will enjoy green pastoral surrounding in the Jerusalem hills, excellent community services, a Charedi way of life and close proximity to Jerusalem.

Porush was impressed with the details of what he was shown and asked to take a tour of the area to see first hand what the plans were. “This location was on my mind while I was Deputy Construction Minister. Now that it is receiving the proper permits and attention it is truly the realization of a dream, that for me, has lasted many years. Telz -Stone is a wonderful community within close proximity of Jerusalem. It is one of the best solutions for the Charedi housing crisis that we are currently facing.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)