Housing Minister (Shas) Ariel Atias on Tuesday met with rabbonim of the Rabbinical Housing Committee to discuss efforts undertaken by his office to offer increasingly attractive mortgages. If successful, the minister believes the efforts will significantly reduce the cost of housing, permitting young couples to purchase and apartment.
 
The rabbonim asked the minister what his office was doing towards assisting in alleviating the critical housing shortage while Atias asked what he can do to help the frum community.
 
A list of areas were mentioned, areas in which tenders for chareidi housing can be announced without delay. The list includes Charish, Lod and Bet Shemesh, where there are 2,227 units that can be moved along in a tender in six months. 
 
Atias stressed that he is not satisfied with just alleviating the shortage of housing units, but he plans to also address the issue of employment. He explained that an inter-ministerial committee is working on employment, in cooperation with Interior Minister (Shas) Eli Yishai. Another committee is working between his office and the treasury, seeking to improve mortgage conditions.
 
The rabbonim were reportedly pleased with the minister’s genuine concern regarding critical issues in the frum community.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)