The Israeli cabinet has approved a plan by the Minister of Housing, Silvan Shalom, for the development of the Negev and Galilee to attract 300,000 Israeli Jews to the regions. The estimated cost of the new housing programme is around $30 million.
According to Israeli public radio, the government aims to help young couples to pay for rented accommodation while their new homes are being built. As well as homes for sale, some of the new development will be available for people to rent on favourable terms.
The mini-Ministerial Council of the Israeli cabinet which took the decision is headed by Finance Minister Yair Lapid. It was also agreed to contribute towards the restoration of abandoned public buildings so that they may be used as cheap housing.