The race for an apartment: "Israel Hayom" has learned that as part of the discussions on the budget that are taking place these days, the Minister of Construction and Housing Yitzhak Goldknopf (Torah Judaism) demands an increase in the amount of the grant in apartment lotteries at a discount in the periphery in national priority areas from NIS 40,000 to NIS 80,000. and increase the amount of the discount in all regions of the country from 20% today to 25% of the price of the apartment.
In addition to this, "Israel Hayom" learned that Minister Goldknopf instructed the professional level in his office to examine prioritization in the "discounted apartment" lotteries for reservists, such as the provision of special grants, and this is being examined in depth these days.
The minister also asked to examine including welfare and social considerations in the lottery prioritization considerations, for example, families of the disabled, single-parent families, and more.
We will remind you that today the rate of discount in the discount apartment route is limited to 20% for apartments priced below NIS 1.5 million, and a discount of NIS 300,000 for apartments priced higher.
In addition, in order to encourage living in the periphery, the state currently grants grants of NIS 40,000 for the purpose of supplementing the home equity to home buyers in localities defined as national priorities such as Nativot, Ofakim, Ashkelon, Hazor HaGalilit, Tiberias, Mitzpe Ramon, Afula, Nof HaGilil, Ma'alot Tarshiha, Yeruham and more.
In these localities, as mentioned, the intention is to double the amount of the grant that will be used for equity to NIS 80,000.
MK Yitzhak Goldknopf, photo: Oren Ben Hakon
significant savings
Goldknopf's move, if approved, will save apartment buyers in the periphery tens to hundreds of thousands of shekels.
For example, an apartment priced at NIS 1.5 million will be given an additional discount of NIS 115,000 (NIS 40,000 plus a grant and another 5% of the price of the apartment), this is in addition to the current discount of NIS 340,000 for an apartment at this price in the periphery.
When is the next draw?
Discounts of this magnitude may increase the demand for apartments in the periphery, which are now in a dramatic downward trend all over the country, due to the continuous increase in interest rates of the Bank of Israel.
This is a budgetary requirement that will cost the state coffers billions of shekels.
The Ministry of Construction and Housing is currently in feverish discussions with the Treasury to approve the requirements, and then it will be possible to estimate the exact amount of the budget that will be required according to the marketing plans that will be prepared accordingly.
Goldknopf's program is designed to help populations of medium-low socioeconomic status - clusters 4-6 - who need assistance in purchasing an apartment.
The next raffle for the discount apartment, fifth in number, is expected to open at the end of March-early April, and between 8,000 and 9,000 housing units will be raffled in the following cities: Katzrin, Rishon Lezion, Harish, Petah Tikva, Ashdod, Haifa, Netivot, Yavneh, Kfar Kasem and more.
It is possible that the winners of the fifth lottery for the discounted apartment will already be able to benefit from the increased grants in the periphery, but not from the additional 5% discount from the price of the apartment, which requires a council decision for subsequent tenders.
not only of the sector
Let's recall that before assuming the position in question, Goldknopf pledged to be "housing minister for everyone", and not just for the ultra-orthodox sector, as claimed by reviews written about him.
"I am not the ultra-orthodox housing minister. I am a minister in the State of Israel who is committed to the entire public regardless of religion, race and country. The ultra-Orthodox public suffers the most hardship, but we will take care of everyone," he said on several different occasions.
If Goldknopf's demand does come true and will be implemented soon, this will be his first significant decision in his position as Minister of Construction and Housing, and contrary to some of the claims against him, this time it will be very difficult to define the decision as a sectoral decision only.
All that remains is to wait and wait.
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