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Housing Grants for Ethiopian Immigrants Living in Absorption Centers or Absorption Sites in Kiryat Ata
For a family, senior citizen or individual who immigrated from Ethiopia and is leaving an absorption center or absorption site, and meets the Ministry of Construction and Housing's "lacking housing" definition. Based on Government Decision 1103 (10.2.2022), valid through end of 2031.
About Kiryat Ata
Kiryat Ata, a city in the Haifa metropolitan area, is home to an Israeli-Ethiopian community spread across several neighbourhoods. Its proximity to Haifa and major employment centres makes it an attractive option for those seeking housing at a lower cost than Haifa.
What is this grant?
A dedicated housing grant for Ethiopian immigrants living in absorption centers or absorption sites, designed to help you purchase a privately-owned apartment when you leave the center/site. The program is based on Government Decision 1103 of the 36th government (February 10, 2022), and is valid through the end of 2031.
Who is it for? (Important clarification)
The program is run by the Ministry of Construction and Housing — not the Jewish Agency. There is common confusion between the two bodies: the Jewish Agency accompanies the aliyah process and life at the absorption centers themselves, but the housing-purchase grant is awarded and managed by the Ministry of Construction and Housing, under its own eligibility rules.
Eligible: a family, a senior citizen, or an individual who immigrated from Ethiopia and is leaving an absorption center or absorption site, and who meets the Ministry of Construction and Housing's "lacking housing" (חסרי דירה) definition.
What does the grant include?
The grant amount is significant and is set according to family composition (among other factors, number of children and family status) — to check the exact, current amount for your personal situation, contact the Ministry of Construction and Housing directly. In addition to the grant, you may also be eligible for a supplementary mortgage loan from a bank, subject to the bank's own rules.
There is also an additional official gov.il page referencing this program (under a different government decision) — if you come across it, we recommend verifying the details directly with the Ministry of Construction and Housing, since not all online information is always current.
How to apply and check eligibility
The program has no public online registration form. To check eligibility, get the exact amount for your family composition, and learn what documents are required — contact the Ministry of Construction and Housing directly (not the Jewish Agency), through the ministry representative in the area of the absorption center/site where you live, or via gov.il.
Ethiopian community in Kiryat Ata
- Community population
- ~3,000
- Share of city
- ~5%
- Main neighbourhoods
- שכ' ב', שכ' ג'
- Community services
- ENP, מרכז קהילתי חיפה
More rights in Kiryat Ata
This right in other cities
FAQ — Kiryat Ata
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Kiryat Ata?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Kiryat Ata numbers approximately ~3,000 residents — around ~5% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: שכ' ב', שכ' ג'.
- How do I claim Housing Grants for Ethiopian Immigrants Living in Absorption Centers or Absorption Sites in Kiryat Ata?
- Apply via the Government Housing Authority website or the local Ministry of Construction office in Kiryat Ata. For support: ENP, מרכז קהילתי חיפה.
- What community support is available in Kiryat Ata for this right?
- In Kiryat Ata, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: ENP, מרכז קהילתי חיפה.
Related rights
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.
Rental Assistance for New Immigrants — Guide 2026
New immigrants are entitled to rental assistance for up to 36 months: single 2,000 ILS/month, couple 3,100, family with children up to 4,400 ILS/month.
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.
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.