Israeli Public Housing Renovations Frozen Amid Political Budget Standoff with Ultra-Orthodox Parties
The Israeli Ministry of Housing has ordered a freeze on most renovation and maintenance work in public housing, leaving over 100 vacant apartments unoccupied and delaying urgent repairs for current residents. This decision stems from a budget approval delay in the Knesset Finance Committee, linked to a political crisis involving ultra-Orthodox parties withholding support until legislation on Torah study and draft deferments is advanced.
Israel has approximately 47,000 public housing units, with 1,500 to 1,800 apartments vacated annually. The freeze means that at least 100 apartments that became available in the past month will remain empty, as renovations cannot proceed. The ministry instructed management companies, including Amidar and Amigour, to halt maintenance work immediately due to an "exceptional budgetary and cash flow constraint." Companies were also told not to offer apartments requiring repairs to waiting applicants or to address non-urgent tenant complaints such as leaks or broken doors.
Emergency safety repairs, such as burst pipes, will continue under existing agreements. The public housing maintenance budget stands at about 300 million shekels annually, which is already insufficient. The ministry requested additional funds from the Finance Committee about six weeks ago, but the ultra-Orthodox parties’ political demands have stalled approval. Complications also arise from budget requests related to the ultra-Orthodox authority in the Prime Minister’s Office, which face legal challenges.
The freeze exacerbates an already long wait for public housing, which averages nearly three years from eligibility approval. Danny Gigi, CEO of the Public Housing Forum, warned that the halted budget affects critical safety repairs, forcing many residents to live in unsafe conditions and preventing new tenants from moving in. He also highlighted that some public housing units damaged during the recent war require urgent rehabilitation, which the freeze now jeopardizes.
The Ministry of Housing stated it submitted the budget request on time and is actively working with relevant parties to secure approval. It emphasized that safety repairs continue and that it prioritizes improving living conditions and housing availability, but the freeze will remain until the Finance Committee acts.
