“You at Adva Center are the ones with the professional approach and knowledge on the issue of social housing.” – This statement served as the introduction of the chairpersons of three parliamentary committees heading discussions held on ‘Public Housing Day’ at the Knesset building in Jerusalem on January 14, 2025.

A whole day was devoted to discussions on social housing, in which the Adva Center played a central role as a leading research and advocacy institute that is deeply involved in housing policy, including social housing in Israel. The thrust of Adva’s remarks was a call to significantly increase the stock of social as well as affordable housing.  It should be noted that Adva has for many years and continues to advocate for the right of all individuals living in Israel to have a safe and stable roof over their heads.

Some ten different parliamentary committees held meetings centered on the issue of social housing. At the main event, led by MKs Lazimi and Biton, the emphasis was on the demand for immediate improvement in social housing policy, including changes in eligibility rules and an increase in the number of apartments available. During the same day, two exhibitions were on display at the Knesset, one entitled “It Could be Better,” in which photographs showed the contrast between Israel’s social housing, obviously suffering from neglect, and well-kept social housing in Austria and Scandinavian countries. Another exhibition, entitled “Lionesses,” featured photos and stories of women living in social housing who are untiringly fighting for their rights.

Adva researcher Yaron Hoffmann-Dishon took part in three different discussions, including the main event, where he presented findings from studies of the budgeting trends of housing in Israel in recent decades. The figures testify to the fact that while state income from real estate taxes and land sales reached new heights in recent years, state investment in housing underwent erosion. Hoffmann-Dishon’s comments in committee discussions revealed that while the real estate market has become an important source of national income, the national investment in the various types of housing assistance has been on the decline, at the same time that the social housing stock, which suffers from neglect, continues to decrease.

Adva researcher and policy advocate Tehila Sharabi, who took part in the discussion organized by the Knesset Committee for Gender Equality and the Advancement of Women, presented the implications of housing policy for gender inequality, emphasizing its effects on women from disadvantaged social groups and women suffering from family violence; for the latter, the lack of accessible, suitable and safe housing forces them to choose between the devil of remaining in violent situations or the deep blue sea of becoming homeless. Sharabi emphasized the need to develop programs that would offer long-term housing solutions for abused women.