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Public Housing Waitlist in Jerusalem
Public housing for Ethiopian-Israelis and all eligible applicants: by income, family size, and asset status. New-immigrant priority applies for up to ~15 years from aliyah. Rejected? You can appeal to an exceptions committee.
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.
Basic eligibility
- Israeli citizen/resident
- Property ownership: 0 (no apartment owned)
- Family income: under a ceiling that scales with family size
- Years married: at least 5 (for couples; single parents exempt)
Priority bumps
- Single-parent families with 2+ children
- Age 60+ without housing
- People with disabilities
- Holocaust survivors
- New immigrants in their first 7 years
How to apply
- Submit application to the Ministry of Construction & Housing
- Attach: ID, income proofs, land registry (tabu)
- Join the waitlist by geographic area
- Annual updates required — otherwise dropped from list
Who actually manages the apartments?
Public-housing companies (Amidar, Amigor, Halamish, Shikmona) manage the apartment stock on behalf of the Ministry of Construction & Housing — contacting the relevant company for your area speeds up status inquiries.
For Ethiopian-Israelis — worth knowing
- The general "new immigrant" priority (which covers community members who made aliyah) grants a priority bump for up to ~15 years from aliyah — this is the same general oleh right, not a dedicated Ethiopian-specific track.
- The eligibility certificate is valid for 4 years — renew before it expires or you lose your place on the waitlist.
- If language or bureaucracy is a barrier, community organizations (e.g. via Tebeka — see the "Free Legal Aid" right) can help with the application.
What to do if you're rejected
- Request the rejection reasons in writing from the Ministry of Construction & Housing or the managing housing company
- You can appeal to a Va'adat Chariggim ("exceptions committee") — an internal committee reviewing cases that don't meet standard criteria but justify an exception
- If the appeal is also rejected — consider a lawyer specializing in public housing, or Tebeka's free legal aid
- kolzchut.org.il maintains an up-to-date explainer of rights and the full appeal process
🔗 Amidar: amidar.co.il 🔗 Full rights & appeal info: kolzchut.org.il 📞 Ministry of Construction & Housing: *5442
Eligibility check
Are you eligible?
A few quick questions. Your answers are not sent anywhere — the check runs locally in your browser.
Ethiopian community in Jerusalem
- Community population
- ~30,000
- Share of city
- ~4%
- Main neighbourhoods
- גונדר, קרית היובל, פסגת זאב
- Community services
- מרכז מורשת יהדות אתיופיה, ENP
More rights in Jerusalem
This right in other cities
FAQ — Jerusalem
- How many Ethiopian-Israelis live in Jerusalem?
- The Ethiopian-Israeli community in Jerusalem numbers approximately ~30,000 residents — around ~4% of the city's population. Main neighbourhoods: גונדר, קרית היובל, פסגת זאב.
- How do I claim Public Housing Waitlist in Jerusalem?
- Apply via the Government Housing Authority website or the local Ministry of Construction office in Jerusalem. For support: מרכז מורשת יהדות אתיופיה, ENP.
- What community support is available in Jerusalem for this right?
- In Jerusalem, the following organisations can assist with paperwork, translation and entitlement: מרכז מורשת יהדות אתיופיה, ENP.
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.
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.
Daycare Subsidy for Working Families
Subsidized daycare (ages 3 months – 3 years) for families where both parents work. Amount calibrated by combined income.
Direct Absorption — Falash Mura 2026 Pilot
2026 pilot — Falash Mura olim placed directly into housing rather than absorption centers. Rolling out in cities with established community support frameworks. First direct-absorption deployment for the community.