At the start of the weekly cabinet meeting, in the presence of the media, one of the issues addressed by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu acknowledged the seriousness of the national housing shortage. The shortage impacts young couples in particular, with that impacting the frum community very hard as well. As a result, the cost of available housing is unreasonably high, yet still limited in availability.

The issue of affordable housing remains paramount for the ashkenazi and sephardi chareidi parties alike always high on the list of coalition negotiations.

PM Netanyahu on Sunday morning said”

“I would like to dedicate a few words to reviewing the housing situation in Israel.

“Israel’s housing situation is not simple because we are one of the smallest countries in the world, but with a population that has grown faster than almost any population in the world, more than any other population in the western world and almost more than any other population in the Arab world.

“This is true regarding the welcome birthrate in the State of Israel of the Jewish public and the Arab public. Whoever thinks the Jewish birthrate is low should know that last year it surpassed the birthrate of the Arab public in Israel. Israel has a small territory and a population that is growing faster than almost any country in the world. Therefore, the almost automatic result is that the price of housing is increasing. The area is limited, preferred areas are limited, and this is exactly what has happened to us for almost a decade.

“When Finance Minister Kahlon entered into office almost five years ago, he asked to take the housing issue under his leadership. We decided on a series of tools that would be at his disposal in order to carry out what was then seen as something impossible – to stop the increase in housing prices. This was always scorned and ridiculed and overlooked. Today I would like to display the result, before your extensive and detailed review.

“What happened here is a great achievement for our government, for you minister, and for the team that worked with you. A levelling off; there was a very steep increase in housing costs and three years ago there was a levelling off, which even if the media tried, it could not ignore. This is a great achievement for the government and for you, and I congratulate you.”

PM Netanyahu added: “I regret that we are entering a third election campaign, unnecessary elections which have been forced on the country. But as you can see, the government is continuing to work energetically in all of the important areas of activity, with security first and foremost. I cannot go into detail here about the steps we decide on in the Security Cabinet from time to time, but you see their results. The activity of the government and the Security Cabinet is continuing on a proper basis and as per need until election day and I hope afterwards.”

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)