Home / Rights & Programs / Free Mortgage Counselling — Guide for Those Entitled
Free Mortgage Counselling — Guide for Those Entitled in Ashkelon
The Ministry of Housing funds free mortgage counselling for housing benefit recipients. A certified adviser saves tens of thousands of ILS in interest.
About Ashkelon
Ashkelon absorbed significant waves of Israeli-Ethiopian community members from the 1990s onward and is today a major southern community hub. Community members are spread across multiple neighbourhoods in the city, alongside a growing presence of local businesses, educational institutions and community-led initiatives.
Why Professional Advice?
Most people choose mortgages alone — and lose tens of thousands of ILS in unnecessary high interest. A certified mortgage adviser compares all bank offers, explains interest tracks (fixed, variable, prime), and ensures you use all eligible benefits.
Free Counselling — Who Qualifies?
Ministry of Housing free counselling for: applicants to the absorption-centre housing grant (Decision 1103), new immigrants (up to 5 years), senior citizens (67+), and public housing tenants buying an apartment.
How to access: Contact regional Housing Ministry → request "mortgage counselling" → free certified adviser assigned.
📞 Ministry of Housing: *5442
Ethiopian community in Ashkelon
- Community population
- ~9,000
- Share of city
- ~7%
- Main neighbourhoods
- ברנע, שמשון, אפרידר
- Community services
- ENP, NATAL, מרכז קהילתי
More rights in Ashkelon
This right in other cities
FAQ — Ashkelon
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Ashkelon?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Ashkelon numbers approximately ~9,000 residents — around ~7% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: ברנע, שמשון, אפרידר.
- How do I claim Free Mortgage Counselling — Guide for Those Entitled in Ashkelon?
- Apply via the Government Housing Authority website or the local Ministry of Construction office in Ashkelon. For support: ENP, NATAL, מרכז קהילתי.
- What community support is available in Ashkelon for this right?
- In Ashkelon, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: ENP, NATAL, מרכז קהילתי.
Related rights
Mortgage for Ethiopian Israelis — Community Mortgage, 600,000 ILS
The programme is real but **registration is closed** — there is no open lottery, and the ministry has removed its programme pages. The terms as set: up to ILS 600,000 over 25 years, 0% interest for the first 10 years and 2% for the next 15.
Mortgage Guide for Ethiopian-Israelis 2026
What still exists and what has closed: the ₪600,000 loan is not open for registration, and the absorption-centre housing grant for olim from Ethiopia (Decision 1103) is the active route — ₪235,000 to ₪650,000 by family composition.
Right to Public Housing — Waiting List and How to Apply
Low-income families with long residency can apply for public housing. Average wait: 8-15 years, but special eligible groups receive priority.
Military Discharge Benefits for Ethiopian-Israeli Veterans
Ethiopian-Israeli discharged soldiers are entitled to a discharge grant of up to 120,000 ILS, an education scholarship, mortgage points, and preference in civil service.