Netanyahu to introduce housing reforms

Infolive.tv - Israel News * Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu cancelled his trip to Poland in order to present a series of reforms aimed at solving the housing crisis, his office said. Netanyahu is expected to discuss the reforms at a press conference with Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz and Housing Minister Ariel Attias on Tuesday. The announcement came as nationwide protests over the lack of affordable housing entered its 12th day with demonstrators blocking roads in Jerusalem and Haifa. Officials close to Netanyahu described the reforms he intends to introduce as "revolutionary" and said they will significantly improve the housing situation for young couples, demobilized soldiers and students. The reforms are expected to include incentives for contractors to build low-cost housing in central districts and land will be allocated across the country for such projects. Incentives will also be given to those who change office buildings into residential ones.