Housing
Housing expenditure, government assistance programs, and homeownership — verified housing status in the community.
Housing expenditure share of the consumption budget
26.7% vs 24.8%Ethiopian-origin households spend ₪3,475/month on housing — 26.7% of their consumption budget, versus ₪4,362 (24.8%) for the general population. A higher relative share on a lower absolute amount.
Source: הלמ"ס, "לקט נתונים לרגל חג הסיגד 2024" (371/2024, 26.11.2024) · 2022
Household income and expenditure
₪16,295 gross incomeGross household income: ₪16,295 (Ethiopian-origin) vs ₪22,013 (general population); net income: ₪14,676 vs ₪18,237; per-capita expenditure: ₪2,749 vs ₪4,580 — a substantial income gap that helps explain the higher housing-expenditure share.
Source: הלמ"ס, "לקט נתונים לרגל חג הסיגד 2024" (371/2024, 26.11.2024) · 2022
Homeownership rate (historical figure)
60.5%60.5% of Ethiopian-origin olim lived in an owned home, versus a national average of 67.6% (67.3% of all Jews, 78.3% of the Arab public). This is the only figure located, and it comes from a single 2016 CBS survey — no update was found.
Source: כלכליסט, "רוכשים דירות, אבל ממשיכים לגור בשכירות" (7.12.2017), מצטט סקר הלמ"ס 2016 · 2016
⚠️ A single 2016 figure from a secondary source — nearly a decade old. Not a current figure.
"Chomesh" program — subsidized mortgage
Up to ₪600,000A housing loan of up to ₪600,000 over 25 years (10 interest-free years, then 15 years at 2%) for couples where at least one spouse was born in Ethiopia, for a first home purchase. Allocated budget: about ₪120M/year. Active since late 2016.
Source: מרכז המחקר והמידע של הכנסת, "נתונים על יוצאי אתיופיה וסקירת תוכניות סיוע בדיור" (10.8.2025) · 2025
Housing grants for olim from Ethiopia
₪235,000–650,000A housing grant for olim leaving absorption centers, ranging from ₪235,000 (a couple with no children) to ₪650,000 (a couple with 9+ children) — based on family composition. The program runs through the end of 2031.
Source: מרכז המחקר והמידע של הכנסת, "נתונים על יוצאי אתיופיה וסקירת תוכניות סיוע בדיור" (10.8.2025) · 2022
Targeted urban renewal program
₪120M budget / 5 yearsAn urban renewal program in neighborhoods with a high concentration of Ethiopian-origin residents — a total budget of ₪120M over 5 years (2016-2021), jointly funded by the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the Ministry of Finance. Targets: neighborhoods in Netanya, Rehovot, and Rishon LeZion.
Source: מרכז המחקר והמידע של הכנסת, "נתונים על יוצאי אתיופיה וסקירת תוכניות סיוע בדיור" (10.8.2025) · 2016
Housing expenditure share of the consumption budget
- Ethiopian-origin26.7%
- General population24.8%
Source: הלמ"ס, "לקט נתונים לרגל חג הסיגד 2024" (371/2024, 26.11.2024)
Context and interpretation
Snapshot
Unlike demographics and education, CBS does not publish a standing "housing" table in its annual Sigd data digest. The strongest quantitative figure located is the housing-expenditure share of the household budget: Ethiopian-origin households spend 26.7% of their consumption budget on housing (₪3,475/month) — a higher share than the 24.8% national figure (₪4,362), despite a lower absolute amount. The gap mainly reflects lower income: gross household income of ₪16,295 versus ₪22,013 nationally.
What the state offers
The state runs several dedicated home-purchase assistance programs: the "Chomesh" program offers a housing loan of up to ₪600,000 over 25 years (the first 10 years interest-free) for couples where at least one spouse was born in Ethiopia; housing grants of ₪235,000-650,000 for olim leaving absorption centers (through 2031); and a targeted urban renewal program worth ₪120M over 5 years in neighborhoods with community concentration in Netanya, Rehovot, and Rishon LeZion.
Methodology note — homeownership rate
The only figure located for the Ethiopian-origin homeownership rate (60.5%) comes from a secondary source (Calcalist) citing a 2016 CBS survey — nearly a decade old. No current update was found. It is shown here only as historical context and does not represent the current situation; the national average at the time was 67.6%.
Figures are updated yearly from official publications. If you spot an inaccuracy or want to suggest a source — get in touch.
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