Over 100K evacuees stranded, 200 vacant apartments unused since war

Shocking revelation: Ministry of Housing data unveils 200 vacant apartments unoccupied for 3 months, leaving 100,000+ evacuees in desperate search for temporary housing solutions.

By OFER PETERSBURG

JANUARY 28, 2024 14:01

Residents of Kiryat Shmona are evacuated due to the threat from Lebanon, in late October. Instead of taking the fight to enemy territory, Israel has withdrawn from territory and evacuated around 100,000 of its residents along the border, says the writer. (photo credit: DAVID COHEN/FLASH 90) — Residents of Kiryat Shmona are evacuated due to the threat from Lebanon, in late October. Instead of taking the fight to enemy territory, Israel has withdrawn from territory and evacuated around 100,000 of its residents along the border, says the writer.

(photo credit: DAVID COHEN/FLASH 90)

The Ministry of Housing's official website displays information about vacant public housing throughout the country, revealing that a total of 196 apartments have been left unused for an extended period. This dire situation persists despite the fact that thousands of evacuees from the northern and southern regions of Israel are in urgent need of housing, often resorting to paying exorbitant amounts for temporary accommodations.

The vacant apartments are spread across various cities, including Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Kiryat Malachi. It is disheartening to witness such negligence, especially considering the current crisis where over 100,000 war refugees are seeking shelter.

According to Alex Tenzer, a social activist specializing in Russian aliyah, this situation is unacceptable: "Given the severe shortage of temporary housing solutions and the urgent need for assistance for the war refugees, it is shocking to discover that 196 apartments have remained vacant for over three months."