New Law Forbids Mortgage Banks from Evicting Homeowners to Homelessness

May 26, 2009

An average of 2,000 Israeli families per year have been evicted by mortgage banks in recent years, and in the current recession the number of families at risk of homelessness is climbing.

At-risk Israelis are now better protected by a new law, which came into effect this week, that requires banks to ensure that homeowners have alternative rented accommodations before implementing evictions.

A coalition of NIF-supported organizations lobbied for the law, including Yedid: the Association for Community Empowerment, flagship NIF grantee Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) and SHATIL. 

The new law means the number of homeless in Israel will be significantly reduced.