From Business Now, Channel 14
The year 2026 opens with a sense of eager anticipation among Israel’s housing seekers, following the Ministry of Construction and Housing’s announcement of the massive lottery of the “Discounted Apartment” (Dira BeHanacha) program. Real estate in Haifa
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While the government promises about 10,000 housing units in the most sought-after cities and unprecedented discounts that can reach ₪800,000, the reality on the ground is far more complex. Dor Neuman, a partner at the “Ahuza” company, sorts through the data and explains what really awaits eligible applicants behind the glittering numbers.
Courtesy of Channel 14, Business Now
Significant discounts alongside question marks
The upcoming lottery focuses on cities such as Petah Tikva, Netanya, Rishon LeZion and Jerusalem.
A central innovation is the clear preference given to active reserve-duty soldiers, for whom almost half of the apartments have been allocated.
That said, Dor notes that despite the promises of 10,000 housing units, in practice we may see lower numbers, between 7,000 and 9,000 units, due to bureaucratic delays that still cast a shadow over the process.
Where is the highest chance of winning?
With about 130,000 eligible applicants waiting for the lotteries, the competition is fiercer than ever. “It’s important to understand that the odds of winning change dramatically according to geographic location,” explains Dor Neuman. “While in the center of the country the odds stand at about 1 in 20, in the periphery the picture is completely different, and the odds can reach 1 in 5.”
Our recommendation at ‘Ahuza’ is to carefully consider applying in the peripheral areas in order to maximize the probability of ending up with a property you own.
A critical look at the housing solutions
Alongside the optimism, Dor Neuman does not spare his criticism, arguing that this is a “band-aid” rather than a root treatment. According to him, the program does not solve the structural supply problem in the real estate market: from the drawn-out bureaucracy that sometimes takes more than 7 years for developers, to the absence of real long-term rental solutions that would ease the pressure on purchases.
The bottom line
Despite the challenges, “Discounted Apartment” remains today the main route for thousands of families on the way to a home of their own.
We recommend continuing to closely follow the official announcements and making sure your registration is up to date ahead of the system’s opening.
Additional source of information: Ministry of Housing: Urban Renewal
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Frequently asked questions
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Last updated: April 2026
מתעניינים בהתחדשות עירונית? אחוזה נדל”ן, התחדשות עירונית עם אחוזה נדל”ן, ניסיון מוכח בחיפה והצפון.
