From March 1, 2024, new immigrants who receive status will be eligible for different rental assistance amounts based on their location. Those living in the periphery will receive twice as much for rent, while those in other cities will receive half as much. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration has announced these new rules, which only apply to those who received status after that date.
Immigrants who arrived before March 1, 2024, will have their total amount of payments reduced and divided over two years instead of five. However, new immigrants arriving after that date who choose to live in settlements in national priority areas, as well as in the Negev and Galilee region, will receive a higher benefit. This benefit will be double the amount currently given to singles.
It is important to note that some cities where repatriates commonly settle are not considered national priority areas. Additionally, due to ongoing shelling, settlement in Kiryat Shmona in the Negev and Galilee region is currently not possible. The Knesset Aliyah and Integration Committee recently discussed these changes, with some members criticizing the decision to reduce benefits for repatriates who do not settle in the periphery.
Minister Ofir Sofer defended the reform as a necessary step to redirect funds and provide more substantial rental assistance to new immigrants. The Ministry of Aliyah and Integration emphasized the focus on supporting repatriates who choose settlements in areas of national priority as part of a larger effort to develop these regions. However, there continues debate over whether this policy truly benefits repatriates or if it hinders their integration into more urban areas with better job opportunities.
Overall, it is clear that this reform aims to provide more targeted support for those settling in areas where resources may be limited but still have high demand for housing. It remains unclear whether this approach will ultimately lead to successful integration or if it creates further barriers for repatriates looking to make a home in Israel’s urban centers.
As such, it is important for policymakers and community leaders alike to carefully consider how best to support all new immigrants as they settle into their new homes across Israel’s diverse landscape.
