Housing Options for Lone Soldiers

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1

   In brief

   The IDF offers Lone Soldiers five distinct housing options to choose from — ranging from fully-serviced residential buildings (Beit HaChayal) to private apartments with monthly stipends. Each option has its own cities, eligibility criteria, and financial implications.

   To claim any housing benefit, apply through your unit's Tash (welfare officer) staff. Rent assistance applications can also be submitted before enlistment through the recruitment office (lishkat hagiyus).

2. 2

   Option 1 — Beit HaChayal

   Beit HaChayal ('Soldier's House') buildings are residential homes spread nationwide that provide full services free of charge — food, laundry, and social/cultural activities. Each building has a dedicated manager and staff who provide personal support.

   Cities with Beit HaChayal:

   • Eilat (אילת)
   • Beer Sheva (באר שבע)
   • Beit HaShiryon — Tel Aviv (בית השריון - תל אביב)
   • Beit Klimyan — Rokach, Ramat Gan (בית קלימיאן - רוקח רמת גן)
   • Beit HaChayal Ramat Gan HaRa'a (בית החייל רמת גן הרא"ה)
   • Haifa (חיפה)
   • Tiberias (טבריה)
   • Jerusalem (ירושלים)
   • Kiryat Shmona — currently under renovation (קריית שמונה - בשיפוצים)
   • Rishon LeZion — coming soon (ראשון לציון - בקרוב)
3. 3

   Option 2 — 'Beit Cham' apartments by Yachad LeMa'an HaChayal

   Yachad LeMa'an HaChayal ('Together for the Soldier') runs a network of new or renovated, fully-equipped and furnished apartments spread nationwide. Each apartment houses 4-6 soldiers (combat-soldier apartments house 2-4 with a private room for each soldier).

   Living in the apartment is free of charge. Each apartment has a coordinator who is regularly available and helps with whatever's needed.

   Shopping voucher difference: a soldier living in a Beit Cham apartment receives ₪400/month in shopping vouchers for food and hygiene products — this replaces the ₪150 voucher given to every Lone Soldier, it does not add to it.

   On discharge: the soldier vacates the apartment upon discharge from the IDF.

   Cities with Yachad LeMa'an HaChayal apartments:

   • Ashdod (אשדוד)
   • Beer Sheva (באר שבע)
   • Holon (חולון)
   • Haifa (חיפה)
   • Jerusalem (ירושלים)
   • Netanya (נתניה)
   • Petah Tikva (פתח תקווה)
   • Rishon LeZion (ראשון לציון)
   • Rehovot (רחובות)
   • Ramat Gan (רמת גן)
   • Tel Aviv (תל אביב)
   • Givatayim (גבעתיים)
   • Herzliya (הרצליה)
4. 4

   Option 3 — Kibbutz adoption (Imutz BeKibbutz)

   Lone Soldier apartments are located on 50 kibbutzim across the country, providing full services free of charge (food, laundry, social activities). Each apartment houses up to 2 soldiers. Each kibbutz has a coordinator who handles soldier support, and the kibbutz offers the option of an adopting family (mishpacha me'ametzet).

   Eligibility criteria — all of the following must apply:

   • The soldier is recognised as a Lone Soldier with permanent housing benefits
   • The soldier serves in a 'closed unit' (yechida sgura) — i.e. sleeps at base rather than commuting home daily
   • The soldier has at least 6 months of service remaining from the application date until discharge
   • The soldier has no serious disciplinary violations in the past 6 months

   Urban / kibbutz garin housing: for soldiers wanting urban-garin or kibbutz-garin housing specifically, the criteria above apply plus the soldier must have participated in the Garin Tzabar program.

5. 5

   Option 4 — Monthly rent reimbursement

   Lone Soldiers who rent an apartment are entitled to a monthly reimbursement:

   Component	Amount per month
   Rent reimbursement	₪1,399
   Apartment maintenance expenses	₪351.5
   Total per month	₪1,750

   Application timing: rent assistance can be applied for before enlistment through the recruitment office (lishkat hagiyus) — you don't have to wait until you're already a soldier to start the paperwork.

6. 6

   Option 5 — Maintenance expense reimbursement (for soldiers who don't pay rent)

   A soldier who lives in an apartment but does not pay rent is entitled to apartment maintenance reimbursement of ₪341 per month.

   Eligible maintenance expenses are limited to:

   • Water (mayim)
   • Electricity (chashmal)
   • Gas (gaz)
   • Municipal taxes (arnona)
   • Building committee fees (vaad bayit)

   Eligibility for this reimbursement applies only to the expenses listed above.

7. 7

   Note on amounts

   *Always verify the latest figures. The IDF updates these amounts periodically — before making financial plans, confirm the current numbers on the official IDF housing benefits page or with your unit Tash.

8. 8

   Related guides

   Other guides in the Lone Soldier lifecycle (IDF / MOD) series:

   • Applying for Lone Soldier Recognition
   • Financial Benefits for Lone Soldiers
   • Leave and Vacation for Lone Soldiers
   • Rights and Benefits for Discharged Lone Soldiers