Home / Rights & Programs / Free Mortgage Counselling — Guide for Those Entitled
Free Mortgage Counselling — Guide for Those Entitled in Sderot
The Ministry of Housing funds free mortgage counselling for housing benefit recipients. A certified adviser saves tens of thousands of ILS in interest.
About Sderot
Sderot, located adjacent to the Gaza border, hosts a long-established Israeli-Ethiopian community that has dealt with security challenges alongside economic hardship. The community has demonstrated remarkable resilience, and development projects in the city offer new housing opportunities.
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 Sderot
- Community population
- ~7,000
- Share of city
- ~35%
- Main neighbourhoods
- שכ' ב', שכ' ג'
- Community services
- ENP, NATAL, ביה"ס קהילתי
More rights in Sderot
This right in other cities
FAQ — Sderot
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Sderot?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Sderot numbers approximately ~7,000 residents — around ~35% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: שכ' ב', שכ' ג'.
- How do I claim Free Mortgage Counselling — Guide for Those Entitled in Sderot?
- Apply via the Government Housing Authority website or the local Ministry of Construction office in Sderot. For support: ENP, NATAL, ביה"ס קהילתי.
- What community support is available in Sderot for this right?
- In Sderot, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: ENP, NATAL, ביה"ס 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.