News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) According to the Jerusalem Post, a group of Jerusalem residents in their 20s has united to push for affordable housing in the capital city.  The group is called Young Adults in Jerusalem, and is working for the construction of student housing and for rent controls for young adults.  The group plans to begin a campaign in upcoming weeks to raise awareness of rising housing costs and to promote the construction of affordable housing. 

Group members said that non-Israeli Jews often purchase apartments in the city, driving up prices without increasing the city’s Jewish population.  Foreigners bought well over 1,000 apartments in the capital in 2006. 

Foreigners who own apartments in Jerusalem should rent the apartments out during the year, said coordinator Amir Poni, adding “Jerusalem is not the Hamptons... we want a live and bustling city and not a ghost town.” Thousands of young Jews leave Jerusalem each year, with most saying they are looking for higher salaries or cheaper housing.