Finding an apartment through the government’s rental lottery programs, such as “Dira LeHaskir,” is a completely different process than searching the open market. It’s not about real estate agents and online listings; it’s about navigating a bureaucratic system designed to provide long-term, price-controlled housing. The entire system is centralized and data-driven.
The first and most critical step is to determine your eligibility. These programs are designed for Israeli citizens who do not own a home and meet specific income criteria. The government wants to help those who are priced out of the ownership market. You can find the detailed eligibility requirements on the official websites of the Ministry of Construction and Housing and the “Dira LeHaskir” company.
If you are eligible, you must register on the government’s lottery portal. This is where all projects across the country are announced. You will need to obtain a certificate of eligibility (teudat zakaut) through one of the designated registration companies. Once you have this certificate, you can sign up for lotteries for specific projects that interest you. The process is entirely online. When a new rental project opens for registration, eligible individuals can sign up for the lottery for that specific building. The winners of the lottery are then given the right to sign a long-term, stable-rent lease, often for an initial period of 3 to 5 years with options to extend. The key is to monitor the government portals constantly for new project announcements, as the registration windows can be brief.
Too Long; Didn’t Read
- Government rental lottery programs are managed through official government websites, not standard real estate channels.
- First, you must check your eligibility based on citizenship, homeownership status, and income criteria.
- If eligible, you must obtain a certificate of eligibility (teudat zakaut) and register on the government’s lottery portal.
- You then sign up for lotteries for specific rental projects as they are announced on the portal.
- Winners get the right to a long-term, price-controlled lease.
