Eligibility for Public Housing Assistance for Olim

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   What is public housing?

   Public housing (דיור ציבורי) covers two forms of state support: rental assistance payments, or the allocation of an apartment from a pool of state-owned units rented to eligible recipients at a subsidised, graduated rate.

   The amount you pay toward rent is determined by an income test applied to your family.

   Public housing apartments are managed by occupancy companies such as Amidar, Amigur, Shakmona, and others. They are located mostly in the periphery — in the north and south of the country.

   The pool of available apartments is very small, so receiving an apartment involves a lengthy wait on a queue and is not guaranteed.

2. 2

   Eligibility period

   The eligibility period for public housing assistance through Misrad HaKlita is 15 years from the date you received Oleh status.

   After that period ends, you can apply for an eligibility assessment through the Ministry of Construction and Housing under its own procedures.

   However, the eligibility period through Misrad HaKlita is unlimited if:

   • You made Aliyah already at retirement age (as defined by Israeli law), or
   • You reached retirement age within 15 years of your Aliyah date.

   Misrad HaKlita grants eligibility only to Olim who hold a valid 'No Home Ownership' Certificate issued by the Ministry of Construction and Housing's registration companies, and who meet the eligibility conditions set out in Procedure 5.084.

   The registration companies for housing assistance are: Milgam, Alonim (part of MGROUP), and Maof.

3. 3

   Eligibility groups

   To qualify for public housing assistance, you must belong to one of the following groups:

   1. Senior citizens entitled to a special old-age pension or senior citizen benefit together with an income supplement from the National Insurance Institute (Bituach Leumi).
   2. A single senior citizen entitled to a special old-age pension or senior citizen benefit together with an income supplement from Bituach Leumi.
   3. A family that includes a person with a stable disability rating of at least 75%, as determined by Bituach Leumi.
   4. A single person with a stable disability rating of at least 75%, as determined by Bituach Leumi.
   5. A family with a disabled child recognised by Bituach Leumi as entitled to a disabled-child benefit at 100% or above.
   6. A family that includes a person with a serious illness, as detailed in Procedure 5.084.
   7. A family headed by an independent parent (a single-parent family).
   8. A large family — one that includes at least 5 children. A pregnancy from the fifth month onward also counts toward the child count.
   9. Special populations: bereaved families, victims of hostile acts, Holocaust survivors, veterans/veterans of the war against the Nazis, Nazi war disabled, prisoners of Zion, families of those executed by a foreign government, and Righteous Among the Nations.

   To be considered eligible, you must hold a valid certificate that you don't own property, belong to one of the groups above, and pass an income test.

4. 4

   The waiting queue

   Public housing solutions are allocated according to your position on a waiting list. Your place on the list is determined by your Aliyah date, your place of residence, and your eligibility group.

5. 5

   How to apply

   To have your eligibility assessed, contact a housing adviser at Misrad HaKlita in your area and bring the required documents, including:

   • Identity card (teudat zehut)
   • A valid 'No Home Ownership' Certificate
   • Proof of monthly income for all family members for whom you are requesting a housing solution, covering the 3 months before you submit your application
     • For a senior citizen: proof of receipt of a special old-age pension or senior citizen benefit and an income supplement from Bituach Leumi, covering the 3 months before submission
   • Documents relating to medical condition or disability
   • A functional assessment form
   • Additional documents as required

   (The full list is set out in Procedure 5.084 and the application form.)

   Submitting an application does not constitute approval of eligibility for public housing, a guarantee of such approval, or confirmation of entry onto the public housing waiting list.

   If you meet all the eligibility conditions, an eligibility certificate for public housing assistance will be issued to you and you will be added to the waiting list.

   Once you have received your eligibility certificate, and while you are waiting for a public housing solution — until you receive a solution, until your certificate expires, or until the end of your eligibility period — you are entitled to receive increased rental assistance. This assistance is provided by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and varies according to eligibility type, family composition, and place of residence. It is conditional on presenting a valid rental contract that is not with a first-degree relative. In any case, the assistance will not exceed 95% of the rent you pay.

6. 6

   Validity of the eligibility certificate

   Your eligibility certificate for public housing assistance is valid for 24 months.

   Before the period ends, submit a renewal request with updated documents. Misrad HaKlita will reassess your eligibility. If you are still eligible, the certificate will be extended for a further 2 years. Without renewal, the certificate will expire and you will need to submit a new application.

   Note that Misrad HaKlita may request updated documents from you at any time.

   For senior citizens, the initial eligibility certificate is valid with no time limit.

7. 7

   Receiving a public housing solution

   When a public housing apartment becomes available for occupancy, it will be offered first to the eligible person at the top of the waiting list for that locality.

   If you express interest in the offered solution, a viewing appointment will be arranged for you. The referral for a viewing is valid for 5 working days from the day you are notified of the proposed housing solution.

   If no positive response is received from eligible applicants within 5 working days, or if the offer is declined, the apartment will be offered to the next person in the queue.

   If you decline 3 offers in line with your eligibility, you will no longer be entitled to further offers and will also lose your entitlement to the increased rental assistance given to those on the waiting list. The count of refusals begins on 15 May 2024 — refusals made before that date are not counted.

8. 8

   Stable rental track

   From 1 February 2026, Olim who are eligible for public housing assistance can choose the "stable rental track" as an alternative to waiting in the queue.

   Under this track, you receive increased rental assistance for 4 years. During that period, no housing solutions will be offered to you.

   At the end of the 4 years, you can choose to:

   • Remain on the stable rental track for a further 4 years, or
   • Return to the regular track and wait for apartment offers.

   If you return to the waiting list, your position in the queue will be calculated according to your Aliyah date plus the period you spent on the stable rental track.

   Important: even on the stable rental track, your eligibility is reviewed every 2 years in accordance with the regular procedures.

   If you choose this track, you will sign a "joining the stable rental track" form.

9. 9

   Freezing and ending eligibility

   Your eligibility for public housing assistance will be frozen in the following cases:

   • If there is a change in your personal, health, or financial circumstances that could affect whether you are eligible or the nature of your eligibility — your eligibility will be frozen until you provide documentation of the change and a decision on your eligibility is updated.
   • If you travel abroad for a continuous period of more than 60 days — your eligibility will be frozen until you notify Misrad HaKlita of your return. If the eligibility was granted to a couple, it will be frozen only if both partners travel abroad.
   • If you and the family unit you belong to spend a continuous period of at least 1 year abroad — your eligibility will end.

   It is your responsibility to provide the documentation and/or updates needed to lift the freeze on your eligibility.

   To clarify the detailed eligibility conditions and how to exercise your entitlement, contact Misrad HaKlita in your area.

   If there is any conflict between the above and Misrad HaKlita's procedure or any currently valid temporary order that explicitly states otherwise, the procedure or temporary order prevails.