Affordable Housing in Israel: “Dira ba-Anakha” Lottery Prioritizes Reservists
Today, May 25, the eleventh stage of the “Dira ba-Anakha” state program kicks off in Israel. According to the updated rules of the Israel Land Authority, the distribution of apartments with a significant discount will now prioritize those defending the country.
In the first stage, the state plans to draw for about 4,000 apartments. Approximately 50% of this housing will be allocated to reservists as a priority. The remaining apartments will be available to the general public, but eligibility now strictly depends on mandatory confirmation of military service. Overall, this year’s lottery will cover 7,000 properties in 19 cities, including Ashdod, Rehovot, Rishon LeZion, and Eilat.
Initially, the first 2026 drawings were scheduled to start earlier, but the dates had to be postponed due to the complex security situation. As Construction Minister Haim Katz emphasized, citizens who were forced to leave their homes to serve must receive a real advantage when purchasing housing, bypassing unnecessary bureaucracy.
At the same time, the new rules strictly define who is not eligible to claim state assistance. Citizens evading the draft, including yeshiva students, will no longer be able to participate in the lottery. This restriction is based on the April ruling by the High Court of Justice (HCJ). The “Free Israel” movement, which had previously filed an appeal on this issue, supported the new regulations and welcomed the cancellation of discounts worth hundreds of thousands of shekels for those who avoid military service.
