Home / Rights & Programs / Community Mortgage — 600,000 ILS for Ethiopian-Israelis

Community Mortgage — 600,000 ILS for Ethiopian-Israelis in Jerusalem

Govt loan for Ethiopian-Israeli families: ₪600,000 over 25 years, 0% interest for the first 10, 2% for the next 15. Allocated by annual lottery (~200 families).

About Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Israel's capital, hosts a large Israeli-Ethiopian community concentrated historically in the Gondar neighbourhood in the north and with significant presence in Kiryat HaYovel and other areas. The city is home to the Centre for Ethiopian Jewish Heritage and several traditional synagogues led by kessim, alongside a broad housing market.

More about the city →

Who is eligible?

Any household where at least one criterion holds:

  • One of the spouses was born in Ethiopia
  • One of the spouses' parents was born in Ethiopia
  • The couple is defined as "Falash Mura" with confirmed aliyah

Loan terms

  • Amount: ₪600,000
  • Term: 25 years
  • Rate: 0% for the first 10 years, 2% for the next 15
  • Down payment: 5% of property value
  • Registration: ₪70 at a participating bank branch (annual lottery)

How to apply

  1. Register at a participating bank branch (Leumi / Discount / Igud)
  2. Wait for annual lottery results (~200 winners)
  3. On winning, the bank sends approval to sign a purchase contract
  4. Submit documents: ID, income proof, absorption-program confirmation (if relevant)

Quick eligibility check — mortgage calculator.