Housing Minister Uri Ariel on Sunday said that the Housing and Finance ministries aim to significantly reduce the supply of public housing. Earlier Sunday, the Knesset’s Lobby for Public Housing asked the chairman of the Knesset’s Economic Affairs Committee, Avishay Braverman, to convene an urgent meeting saying the proposed measure would lead to “a drastic reduction in the number of public-housing apartments available.”
Other MKs from various political parties signed a letter that was sent to Braverman, reading in part: “While the Public Housing Law, which is about to go into effect, indicates that all revenues from the sale of public housing be used to buy and build new units that would increase the supply housing units, the ministers’ statement raises concern that most of the funds from the sale of apartments will be used for rent subsidies rather than renewing the supply of public housing. This move will drastically reduce the existing supply of public-housing apartments.” The letter was signed by MKs Dov Khenin (Hadash), Orly Levi-Abekasis (Yisrael Beiteinu), Ilan Gilon (Meretz), Miri Regev (Likud) and Itzik Shmuli (Labor). It continued: “From our experience, and from the experience of social organizations which assist public housing residents and those eligible for it, there are many problems with the rent-assistance model, and many who receive such assistance cannot rent housing with it. Worse still, the rent assistance could lead to higher rent prices. This drastic change in direction in the public-housing sphere has terrible social implications and requires serious discussion in the Knesset before it is put into effect.” According to MK Khenin “The state must maintain its obligation to make sure every Israeli citizen receives suitable housing.”
Social justice protest for public housing, Jerusalem, June 8, 2013 (Photo: Activestills)
The Lobby for Public Housing presented ten key points that can be promoted for a social housing policy in Israel: Do not segregate luxury neighborhoods from poor ones, but rather strive for a social mix; Anchor the right to housing in legislation, not ad-hoc solution; Rehabilitate and improve public housing; Reinstate the budget for housing assistance; Encourage new construction in combination with affordable housing; For those who cannot afford to purchase a home – create alternatives that enable long-term rentals; Invest in urban renewal while maintaining affordable housing in city centers; Use state land as a social resource, not an economic one; Strengthen planning institutions and make them more efficient, while implementing social considerations in the planning process and refuse to allow discrimination in housing.
Related:
http://www.acri.org.il/en/2013/01/29/coalition-report/
