Period of Eligibility for Assistance in Public Housing as Immigrants
The period of eligibility for assistance in public housing as immigrants is 10 years from the date of aliyah.
Once the ten years have expired, immigrants who meet the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption's definition of eligibility are transferred to the care of Ministry of Construction and Housing.
The Ministry of Construction and Housing will examine whether the immigrants who have completed their eligibility are entitled to receive housing (after the ten-year period of residence in Israel has ended) based on their regulations.
This means that there will be no “extension of eligibility for housing” approved by the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption, and that the Ministry of Construction and Housing will grant eligibility to housing only to those candidates who meet its criteria for eligibility.
In order to clarify eligibility for assistance from the Ministry of Construction and Housing, immigrants can contact "Rental Assistance” Companies. See additional information in the list of companies that grant rental assistance.
Elderly Immigrants
Despite the aforementioned, the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption will continue to handle eligibility and allocation of housing solutions to elderly immigrants, with no limitation regarding the period of aliyah, as long as they meet the following criteria:
They receive an old age pension + assured income from the National Insurance Institute or a disability pension from the Ministry of Finance.
They meet the definition of elderly on the day they contact the Ministry.
They have eligibility certificates for the elderly issued by the Ministry of Construction and Housing.
They meet the definition of “without housing."
Transition Period
The Ministry of Immigrant Absorption continues to handle housing solutions for those candidates who have completed ten years living in Israel and whose eligibility has been approved by the Ministry housing committee, by 31.12.2007.
The Ministry will issue notices during the year in 2007 to all immigrants whose eligibility has expired with information about continued processing of their case.
Immigrants must remain in contact with Ministry of Immigrant Absorption housing counselors at branch or district offices nearest to their place of residence in order to receive instructions.