Globes, Uri Khodi, 07.06.2020
Believe it or not - the housing crisisResolved. Yes yes, resolved. How do I know? Because that is the feeling that is reflected in the new government's fundamental position and principles. A look at the recent coalition agreements between the various parties and the Likud shows that the housing issue has almost been marginalized. As always, this is mainly what is no more in agreements than there are, certainly compared to the coalition agreements signed in the previous government, with emphasis on the agreement of the "all of us" (peace aliyah), led by Moshe Kahlon against the ruling party.
Let’s start with the previous government’s basics that included an important section that talked about the cost of living and the cost of housing. Section 4 of 18. Important? It is important. There is an explicit reference to the government's activity to reduce the cost of living, especially "in the areas of food and energy housing."
And in the basic lines of the current government? Not even the word housing appears. There is a reconciliation cabinet, which is a bit similar. But housing, we did not find.
further. In the previous government, the housing crisis was burning, so that in the coalition agreement, an entire appendix appeared with a significant housing plan (cost per neighbor) and detailed. Not only that, but the coalition agreement included many sections under the headings of authorities and planning and construction powers as well as lowering housing prices and more. Articles on clauses that have already been established and set out in the basic documents of the establishment of the government.
And in the current government? We sought reference to the issue in the coalition agreement between the two major parties, but in vain. Zero reference to the housing issue. In the coalition agreement with the Torah flag, reference can be made to the field, particularly in restoring the powers of the Minister of Construction and Housing, as well as the restoration of standards and the subordination of the Israel Lands Authority. And as well as the government-owned rental housing company - an apartment for rent - under the office. Though there is no real reference to the housing issue itself or the planned actions.
A similar trend can also be found in the coalition agreement with the Shas party, which holds another element of the real estate world - the Interior Ministry. There, too, one can find powers, standards, and the fact that the Planning Administration returns to them, with an emphasis on standards and powers, and less on specific or stated issues, one or the other housing crisis.
So the housing crisis is resolved, and can other problems be addressed? Are the goals of the Strategic Plan for Housing 2040 accessible and realistic? Well, not exactly. But there are those who probably know that it is worth getting off the horse and not climbing too tall trees from the first moment. Maybe such a start would be a good thing for the real estate industry.
But you always have to remember that even if they don't call it a housing crisis now, and even if we haven't (yet) heard of significant plans and significant legislation in the field, it's still hard to buy an apartment here, the rental market still acts like one big, private jungle. Urban renewal is still uncertain, and the planning and licensing world is still not fast and agile enough. There are still quite a few things that need to be addressed, but if there is one message to the new ministers relevant to the industry - if you have already started calmly, take a breath, ask for the data, sit back, think, and do things in long-term thinking. The real estate industry is fed up with rabbits, five-pound hammers, taxes that change the market and are disqualified in the High Court, programs that cancel other plans and more. There are good and wise people in the key positions and professional ranks. It is time to take down the words "housing crisis" not only from the coalition agreements, but from Israeli reality in general.