In an effort to bring down housing prices, the Housing Ministry is issuing tenders for the sale of land for 5,900 units throughout the country – in addition to the 5,300 units whose sale was announced three months ago.
Housing Minister Ariel Attias (Shas) announced that the goal of the massive influx of land for housing is to bring down apartment prices.
The units are to be built in 20 different towns across the country, including Jerusalem (1,117 units), Be’er Sheva (842), Rehovot (336), Rishon LeTzion (349), Holon (358), and Tel Aviv (188). None of them are to be built in Judea and Samaria, though it was not announced whether the Jerusalem units are to be located in areas liberated in 1967 or not.
“We relate to the peripheral areas [i.e., places distant from the large urban areas -- ed as an important national target,” Attias stated, “and we plan to market new homes for reasonable prices in these areas as well.”
Israel Lands Authority (ILA) Director Yaron Bibi said, “This massive plan is part of the reforms in the ILA that were recently decided upon, and will give a strong impetus to the growth of the housing market.”
In a related item, the Jerusalem District Planning Commission approved a plan today (Tuesday) for 900 new housing units in Gilo. The units will be built on the northwestern slopes of the 33,000-strong southern Jerusalem neighborhood. The plan includes area for public buildings, open areas, and stores.