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" When the gates of the Soviet Union opened my husband and I, both in our late 60's, came to Israel. We are both Holocaust survivors and had very little money when we arrived. We received sheltered housing from Amigour, and this literally saved our lives and our dignity ."
Anna, a new elderly immigrant from the FSU
Serving Israel's Elderly
With the absence of low-rent housing in Israel, Amigour is Israel’s leading operator of public and sheltered housing facilities, providing vulnerable populations with affordable housing solutions. Amigour currently operates approximately 22,000 rental apartments for 70,000 tenants - new immigrants, veteran Israelis, single parents, young couples and elderly – in 23 locations throughout Israel, plus an additional 8,000 rental units that are owned by the Israel government.
Amigour has built a model for public and sheltered housing and social management that is stemming the tide of homelessness and providing people with the basic human need of shelter.
Today, Israel’s over 65 year-old population numbers approximately 600,000. Many live under or close to the poverty line and cannot afford to rent or purchase their own home. This problem is particularly acute among the elderly immigrant population from the FSU and other areas of distress.
Amigour Housing Agency provides immediate housing solutions to a large number of elderly immigrants who come to Israel and have no viable housing options. Without the assistance of Amigour, these new immigrants would be unable to afford housing.
Amigour operates 57 sheltered homes throughout Israel, serving more than 7,500 senior citizens. Residents are able to enjoy independent living in their own apartment while being part of a small, contained community. Each sheltered housing facility has a community network operated by a house committee, which includes the house director, housemother and social worker.
In addition to meeting the physical need of having a place to live, Amigour provides a wide variety of social and cultural services that enhance the quality of life of its residents, maintain their well-being and give them the opportunity to become dynamically involved in collective activities.
Enrichment activities include craft courses, home economics, exercise classes, Hebrew learning, gardening and volunteer activities. Many of the activities are carried out in conjunction with community centers, schools, soldiers and community volunteers, bringing Amigour residents into the community. Recently, computer courses have been added.
In addition to building and maintaining sheltered housing, Amigour’s Social Affairs Division operates an extensive network of activities that include establishing and running house committees and resident’s meetings and organizing residents to take an active part in maintaining their facilities.
At Amigour, maximum attention is given to Israel’s low-income elderly immigrants to enrich their quality of life and ensure that they grow old in comfort and dignity.
A donation of US$5,000 provides one elderly immigrant with Amigour's sheltered housing for one year. *
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