Fred Schlomka

Current housing policies in Israel regarding zoning and land use planning have resulted in segregated communities split across religious and racial lines. About ninety-three percent of its land is controlled by the state, and by law and regulations only Jewish residents are allowed to lease the land for housing. As a result, entire communities are facing a housing crisis. Mosaic Communities establishes integrated Arab-Jewish communities that are open to all residents of Israel, thus challenging housing policies that institutionalize legal segregation. The organization leases and purchases land, and facilitates planning, development, and construction of homes. It also sells or leases these homes and provide support services to communities once they are established. Ultimately, this private initiative to desegregate housing on a national level serves to generate public debate, thereby influencing change far beyond the provision of homes.