During conferences for roshei yeshivos held in Jerusalem and Bnei Brak under the auspices of SheHasimcha BeMe'ono, the participants discussed the housing crisis in the chareidi sector and the deep distress parents face when marrying off their children.
They also noted the pressing need to heighten awareness of group apartment purchases in outlying communities in the Central, Coastal, Northern and Southern Regions of Israel, with gemach loans available at preferred terms for the first group of avreichim to settle a new area.
The roshei yeshivos spent hours conferring about the totally unrealistic sums parents have to pay to buy an apartment in the major chareidi population centers for the young couple and remarked that undertaking such debts can reach the point of endangering their very health.
They also noted that the issue is not just a problem for the parents of prospective brides, but also affects the yeshiva students themselves, since many shidduchim fail to materialize as a result. They noted that some young couples are forced to rent a 30-square-meter "apartment" in a bomb shelter, parking garage, store or roof top — all because of the severe housing shortage.
The roshei yeshivos stressed the need to convey to yeshiva and seminary students the importance of frugal living ("histapkus bemu'at") and to encourage parents not to demand or undertake financial commitments that are far beyond their means, as gedolei Yisroel shlita have said on many occasions.
Later the roshei yeshivos discussed various housing solutions suitable for yeshiva students, focusing on several affordable locations around the country.
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