The Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem proposes to undertake a public housing project in Biz Zeit north of Jerusalem for the Christians of the area. A creative, low-cost strategy for housing is presented that would provide accommodation for approximately 20% of Christians now living in the town and will meet needs far into the future. A committee of local professionals and advisors is working to achieve the goal of providing necessary housing to help those who are part of the present and future "Living Church" in the Holy Land.

Housing is one of the crucial areas of need that the Palestinians have. It is the areawhere their church leaders want to concentrate their endeavors in the immediate future. Natural population growth, the extensive loss of land, and the imposed limitations over years of occupation on construction of homes has resulted in a serious lack of housing that reached crisis proportions some years ago.

Palestinians have identified the most important, immediate areas for development assistance as provision of housing, building the infrastructure and job creation. The LIVING STONES HOUSING addresses the need for provision of housing for the inhabitants of the Bir Zeit area. In the process of assisting residents to have a home, employment for families will be provided during the construction phase. Many, young adults cannot marry because there is no affordable housing for them as future families. Emigration of Christians, which results mainly from the serious lack of housing and jobs, will help maintain their presence in the Holy Land.

Factors Justifying The Need For Housing

The debilitating political and socio-economic milieu since 1948 has resulted in emigration, housing shortages, high unemployment rates, declining psychological well-being, poor social and health services and the fragmentation and decline of civil society and religious structures. The housing development plans of the Latin Patriarchate with community leaders arise from the need to respond to three crucial problems in the Holy Land:

1. Housing shortages resulting in seriously overcrowded living conditions.

 

2. 43% Unemployment rates in most areas of the country.

 

3. Emigration leading to the decline of the Christian presence in the Holy Land .

FACTORS RELATED TO HOUSING, INCOME AND EMIGRATION:

1. Severe restrictions on building permits for Arabs on their private property.
2. Massive immigration of Russians into Israel resulted in the loss of over 200,000 jobs.
3. Lack of employment opportunities in general has stimulated emigration to the West.
4. The lack of personal freedom and imposed restrictions on economic development.
5. Confiscated land was and is used for Israeli settlers.
6. Restricted travel and movement across the West Bank and abroad denies freedom.
7. Restricted entrance to Jerusalem resulted in job loss and access to places of worship.
8. Thousands of husbands, wives and children were separated and not reunited.

Expected Impact:

i. ) HOUSING BENEFITS

1. Apartments (46) for families of ~7 members promises a better life.
2. Housing for about 300 people or 20% of the Christians in the town.
3. Housing needs met for population growth and return of those in the Palestinian Diaspora.
4. Easing suffocating housing problems for a significant number of Christians.
5. Young people can proceed with marriage plans.

ii) JOB CREATION AND ECONOMIC STIMULUS

1. Jobs are expected to be provided for up to 40 people over 2 years.
2. Where possible material will be purchased locally stimulating local business.
3. Work will be generated in future years for normal maintenance and improvements.
4. Establishment of a fund (from monthly payments) for additional housing projects.
5. The cost of building has been thoughtfully planned to gain the most from investment.
6. Most of the construction money will remain in the local economy

iii.) SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROJECT:

1. Reduced emigration to the West prevents the separation of families.
2. Housing will encourage people to remain in their town strengthening family structures.
3. Traditional historic ties to the land will be maintained.
4. Culture heritage will not disintegrate and be lost
5. Those living abroad will be encouraged to return to their homeland.
6. The Church of the Holy Land will gain more credibility in the eyes of Christians.

Challenges for the Church:

1. The Holy Land is facing a future of becoming a Christian museum and archeological site for pilgrims. The Church in the Holy Land has survived persecutions through the ages. It must survive the current historical crisis and change suffering into strength to live out its unique calling to be the face of Christianity in the Holy Land.
2. The Church has a call to care for the physical needs, and sustain the dignity and well being of its members. The local churches want to assist in whatever way they can to provide jobs, housing, medical care, education, etc. to enable and encourage people to remain in the Holy Land.
3. Christians have many connections in the West and they use those connections to leave. The Christian presence has dropped from 18% in 1948 to below 3% of the population. The pressure to leave is ever increasing. The Church wants to encourage its people to remain in their home not leaving family and roots in order to seek employment and freedom in a foreign country.