A Word from the CEO – Nimrod Zvik:
“15,000 displaced people without a roof over their heads isn’t just a private tragedy—it’s a systemic danger that threatens to make the rental market inaccessible for more and more families. I am calling for the establishment of a national emergency housing authority.”
The Situation on the Ground:
Within 24 hours of the ceasefire in Operation “Im Kalbi,” approximately 15,000 people were left without a clear housing solution. Zvik warns that this is contributing to a market spiral in the rental sector: a shortage of apartments and high demand are forcing landlords to raise prices—with no regulation or oversight.
A Severe Systemic Failure:
There are various authorities and public bodies, but no single entity that centralizes emergency housing. The problems stem from an unplanned response based on hotels, family hosting, or mobile homes—without a national framework or orderly management infrastructure.
The Solution:
The solution is to establish an independent statutory authority that would be responsible for mapping the inventory of vacant apartments (about 200,000 according to the Central Bureau of Statistics), utilizing hosting programs, and managing mobile structures. Such an authority could operate not only during wartime but also during routine times—to address the general housing crisis, natural disasters, or vulnerable populations.
A Look to the Future:
“Israel cannot continue to improvise,” concludes Zvik. “The authority shouldn’t only wake up in an emergency—it needs to operate continuously. The current war is a warning sign for a full civilian preparedness.”
Credit:
The article was published on the Calcalist website on June 17, 2025
Link to the Original Article:
