IDF reservists to be granted increased housing benefits by Israeli government

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Construction and Housing Minister Haim Katz, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced a new program on Sunday to help IDF reservists find affordable housing, a joint statement announced.The program, titled "From Reserve Duty to a Key," is meant to expand housing benefits and provide approximately 20,000 housing solutions, including 16,000 apartments, in the years 2026 and 2027.One feature of the program is increased priority in apartment discount lotteries. In the latest iteration of the lotteries, 25,354 reservists participated, of which 4,734 won. The percentage of reservist winners will increase, and the discount given will amount to more than NIS 500,000, the government said.Katz praised the discount lottery system, saying that another 20,000 units would be added to the pool."Those who gave must also know how to receive," he said, adding that "the state will give back to its reservists, because they are the main resource we have today."'Heroic reservists' deserve benefits, housing minister saysReservists who wish to construct housing will also receive increased benefits, and will be exempted from payment for the value of the land.Meant to "expand the supply of housing solutions for reservists," Netanyahu praised the initiative as a historic move."Our heroic reservists give everything for the country, and they deserve everything," he said."To date, the government has transferred, either through Government decisions or legislation, a massive sum of NIS 25 billion to the reservists and their families as well. And today we are bringing more news about massive support in housing.""There has never been anything like this. It is about time."Smotrich described the plan as only a part of a greater show of appreciation for the country's soldiers."From the very first day of the war, we have been wrapping IDF fighters and commanders, in both regular and reserve service, in a huge umbrella of billions upon billions," he said."Following the discounts and priority for reservists, we have made a significant decision together with the prime minister and the housing minister, according to which all reservists without housing who applied for the "Discount Apartment" lottery will receive an apartment. Dear reservists – you deserve this."