Israel’s Housing Plan for Displaced Residents Amid Ongoing Conflict

The Israeli government has unveiled a new plan to support the housing needs of approximately 68,000 people displaced due to the ongoing conflict in the North and South. The plan, as shared by Israel's Tourism Ministry on Saturday, aims to continue state-funded housing efforts, ensuring those affected by the fighting have access to accommodation while the situation stabilizes.

Currently, there are about 13,580 people residing in state-funded hotels and temporary housing, with another 54,555 evacuees living in communities across the country. These individuals are receiving financial assistance to help cover their living expenses.

Minister Haim Katz has been overseeing the evacuation efforts for over a year. The displaced individuals have found shelter in hundreds of hotels and thousands of other facilities. The government's plan is designed to help mitigate the housing burden and provide support to the evacuees who have been living away from their homes since the conflict escalated.

The cost of housing and evacuation efforts has reached over NIS 9 billion, with NIS 6 billion directed to hotels and private property owners. In response, Katz introduced a self-housing grant option for evacuees, providing NIS 200 per adult and NIS 100 per child each day. This option has proven to be a more affordable solution, saving the government over NIS 5 billion as self-housing is far cheaper than hotel accommodations.

The ongoing conflict, particularly since the October 7 attacks, has led to the displacement of over 250,000 Israelis. While many have returned to their homes, tens of thousands remain in temporary housing across the country. A recent study by Maagar Mochot revealed that 70% of evacuees from northern Israel have considered not returning home, with 3% already leaving their communities permanently.

Polls indicate that 64% of the Israeli public is dissatisfied with the government’s handling of the situation, although this is an improvement from previous months. Despite this, there is strong support for certain government initiatives, such as mandatory military service, with 68% of respondents in favor of universal conscription to the IDF.

The government's efforts to support displaced citizens and ease their housing challenges come amid ongoing tensions and widespread concerns about the future of the country. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains critical for the government to balance immediate needs with long-term stability and support for all affected communities.