What Is the Dira BaHanacha Program?
Updated
"Dira BaHanacha" — commonly known as "Mehir LaMishtaken" — is an Israeli government program designed to help people without a home buy one at significantly below-market prices. It works through lotteries: you apply, enter the draw, and if you win — you purchase an apartment on preferential terms.
What Are the Different Tracks?
- Mechir LaMishtaken — the largest discount, with an additional grant of ILS 40,000–60,000 in peripheral areas
- Mechir Matara — a discount of up to 20% off the apartment price, capped at ILS 300,000
- Mechir Mufchat — similar to Mechir Matara, includes a flat grant of ILS 40,000
- Dira LaHaskhir — subsidized rental, not purchase
Who Can Participate?
There are two categories: those without a home — meaning they haven't owned residential property in the past 3 years — and apartment upgraders, who currently own a home but plan to sell within 12 months of moving in. First lotteries are open only to those without a home; follow-up lotteries allow upgraders to join as well.
Who Is Eligible? (by family status)
- Married couples — shared household
- Couples planning to marry — within 3 months of submitting the application
- Parents with at least one child under age 21
- Singles aged 35 and above
- Singles aged 21 and above with a recognized disability (75%+)
What Happens After Purchase?
Anyone who purchases through the program may not sell the apartment for 5 years from receiving Form 4, or 7 years from the lottery date — whichever comes first. Renting the apartment out is fully permitted. And whoever bought through the program cannot participate again in the future, not even as an upgrader.
Not married through the Rabanut? You can marry abroad (e.g. Utah via Zoom), register the marriage with the Ministry of Interior, and then apply. What If We Don't Want to Marry Through the Rabanut?
Dira4U does the work for you and sends an alert the moment a new project goes live — so you're always among the first to know.
How Do You Renew Eligibility Each Year?
Dira BaHanacha eligibility is not permanent — it must be renewed once a year through the personal area on the official lottery site (dira.moch.gov.il). The renewal involves answering a short set of declarations: property ownership, children's property, singles status, and common-law partner status. If all answers are "no," your eligibility is automatically extended for another year — no need to contact an officer.
Official source: the Ministry of Construction and Housing lottery site (dira.moch.gov.il)
- Renewal fee: ₪50
- After completing the declarations, you are redirected to payment via a payment link or phone collection
- Missed the renewal deadline? Your eligibility lapses and you must re-apply
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