Construction of 30,000 affordable homes planned in new W. Bank suburbs

The Palestinian Investment Fund says it plans to build 30,000 affordable apartments in the West Bank and Gaza to ease a growing housing crunch. An official in the fund said Saturday that the project will cost more than $2 billion, and that private investors will be involved. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because a formal announcement will only be made Monday. The official said a mortgage company would be established as part of the project.