A joint working team of the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Construction and Housing, the Tax Authority and the Contractors Association, completed today a significant stage in the national preparation for civil reconstruction: the largest construction contractors in Israel will take part in the renovation of complexes that were damaged during Operation “Rising Lion”.
For the first time in Israel, contractors specializing in large-scale projects will focus on the renovation of private apartments – within the framework of an innovative model of complex renovation rather than individual renovation of a single apartment. Each complex will be assigned to one construction contractor, who will operate under state supervision and in cooperation with the local authority and the management company in charge of property tax.
As part of the preparation, coordination meetings were held with the heads of the affected authorities, with the aim of implementing the project and getting it moving quickly. Government bodies are now working to expand the project to all relevant cities and towns.
The government track offers residents a quick, high-quality, and bureaucratic solution: there is no need to deal with contractors, receive price quotes, or monitor work – the entire process is managed by the state, including financing, supervision, and execution. The government track will also assist populations who have difficulty dealing with the authorities and will provide a solution in cases of unavailability of renovation contractors.
The process will work so that local authorities will map affected areas and define “rehabilitation complexes,” which will include a large number of buildings and infrastructure in need of rehabilitation. Each local authority will then contact the residents living in the complexes and offer them the option of rehabilitating through the government track. The local authority will forward to the Compensation Fund the details of the residents who are selected to join this track, and representatives of the Compensation Fund will check that the residents meet the conditions and then contact them. There is no need to contact the Compensation Fund directly in order to join the track. The compensation fund will assess the damage in each complex and transfer the compensation money to the designated management company, which will transfer it to the operating contractor and supervise the execution of the work.
Bezalel Smotrich, Minister of Finance: “We are launching an unprecedented national process, renovating damaged complexes, quickly, efficiently and with full responsibility of the state. Instead of bureaucracy, service. Instead of delays, action. An innovative model that connects all the factors, relieves the citizen of the hassle – and takes care of him from the renovation to returning home. We will continue to work together, government, authorities and communities – and win, on the front and in the rear, “Rising Lion”!”
Ilan Rom, Director of the Ministry of Finance: “This is a significant step in strengthening the civil resilience of the State of Israel. We are not just repairing walls – we are restoring security, stability and routine to thousands of families. Inter-ministerial cooperation allows us to create an effective, rapid and humane solution. We will continue to act resolutely for every citizen who is affected and for the benefit of the prosperity and well-being of all citizens of the State of Israel.”
Haim Katz, Minister of Construction and Housing: “We are launching a clear and simple path for residents without complex forms, postponements and delays, and without the need to independently search for an implementation contractor. I thank all the partners who have joined the national mission and are helping to expedite the reconstruction process.”
Yehuda Morgenstern, Director of the Ministry of Construction and Housing: “The ‘Renovating in Unity’ project represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of war damage. We are bringing the knowledge and expertise of the largest contractors in the country directly to the homes of residents. Our goal is to shorten processes, ensure professional quality, and return residents to their homes as quickly as possible. The fruitful collaboration with the Tax Authority, local authorities, and the Contractors Association allows us to create a professional and efficient system that will provide a response to all residents whose homes have been damaged.”
Shai Aharonovich, Director of the Tax Authority: “We are currently facing an unprecedented challenge of providing a response to approximately 45,000 claims for direct damage, of which approximately 35,000 are claims for damage to the structure. One of the biggest challenges is the shortage of renovation contractors, and the government track is designed to help with this. We take a large number of damages, consolidate them into one complex, and bring in a large construction company to handle them all at once. This also allows us to involve companies in the restoration process that do not usually handle specific damage to a single structure, and also saves citizens the hassle of dealing with the authorities regarding the restoration and receiving compensation.”
Roni Brick, President of the Israel Builders Contractors Association: “We are proud to take part in the national initiative for the rapid rehabilitation of damaged homes. The largest construction contractors in Israel have answered the call and “share the burden” – even though this is a field that is outside their normal occupation. They are bringing the knowledge, resources and people to return the residents their homes and hope. This is an expression of the resilience of the construction industry and the mutual guarantee that characterizes Israeli society in times of emergency.”