Bayit Cham – Apartments for Lone Soldiers

Social Inclusion

#15

About 6,700 lone soldiers serve in the Israel Defense Forces. Through their service, each and every one of them represents Zionism, values-based living and a commitment to the IDF and the State of Israel.

Service in the IDF as a lone soldier is accompanied by difficulties and great responsibility. Some of these young men and women are disconnected from their families, some arrive from boarding schools and youth villages, while others chose to leave their homes and family abroad in order to contribute to Israel and serve in the military.

Bayit Chaim (A Warm Home), the residence project for lone soldiers of YAHAD: United for Israel’s Soldiers, numbers more than 100 apartments across the country, providing hundreds of lone soldiers with a welcoming place to live during their service.

The soldiers receive close, personal attention from Bayit Cham’s project coordinator, as well as maintenance for the apartment.

There is a wide range of apartment types. Bayit Cham for Lone Combat Soldiers is characterized by apartments where each soldier has his or her own private room.

A new and unique project is current starting up (we are still awaiting approval), called Bayit Cham for Discharged Lone Combat Soldiers, in which discharged soldiers from a low socioeconomic background will be able to live for a year in an apartment, two to a room, completely rent free. The apartment will be financed through YACHAD donors and the Fund for Discharged Soldiers.

The discharged lone soldiers taking part in the project will receive close support from the Fund for Discharged Soldiers, as well as from personal mentors and Bayit Cham. There are currently 23 apartments in Rishon LeZion earmarked for lone soldiers.