Hebron’s Old City is a place of major cultural and historic importance, however, throughout the 20th century onwards, thousands of Palestinian residents have been forced to leave, under a complex set of interrelated pressures.
Many families who legally own property were displaced, while vacant buildings deteriorated and became vulnerable to illegal occupation. This erosion of housing also weakened local economic life and everyday community activity.
The Hebron Rehabilitation Project responds by restoring historic buildings and returning them to use as safe, legally occupied homes, schools, and business premises. Since 2013, more than 1,400 traditional stone buildings have been rehabilitated, enabling families to return and helping stabilise areas that had been left empty and at risk.
The project is based on a holistic custodian approach that treats housing, heritage, legal protection, and community wellbeing as closely linked. Buildings are restored using traditional materials and techniques, with modern utilities and features added carefully to protect their cultural and architectural value. Legal verification of ownership, safeguarding measures, and ongoing maintenance help ensure homes remain occupied over the long term.
Housing is not delivered in isolation. Alongside residential buildings, the project restores streets, markets, and public spaces, and supports small businesses and local services. By keeping homes lived in and maintained, the project helps prevent further deterioration and illegal settlement while rebuilding everyday life in the Old City.
The project has contributed to the protection of Hebron’s cultural heritage, including work supporting the Old City’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project demonstrates how housing-led regeneration and long-term custodianship can protect both communities and historic urban areas in highly pressurised environments.
