Of the 42,000 properties foreclosed on by Wayne County this year, it is estimated from 10,000-12,000 “owner-occupied homes” will be auctioned off for back property taxes in September and October sales. Auctioning off these homes—often owned by the elderly, sick, retired or unemployed—will result in the loss of these residents, the transfer of their property to land speculators and/or more blight in our already hard hit neighborhoods. This tragedy does not have to happen! While registration for the Sept. auction began Aug. 20th, and bidding begins Sept. 5th, bidding doesn’t start to close until Sept.23rd. Critically the Treasurer’s Auction Website states, “Please be aware that a parcel may be withdrawn during the auction.”, so even after bids have been taken, the Treasurer can withdraw “owner-occupied” homes. Just so they are “withdrawn”, before the auction ends! Over $204 million in Federal Funds were made available, to assist people in need of paying off back property taxes (up to $30,000)! It is being distributed through a state program called Step Forward Michigan (stepforwardmichigan.org/spv-54.aspx). Unfortunately the state didn’t get the program up and running until earlier this this year. Only about 1700 residents applied as of June 28th and it appears they will be exempt from auction until their applications are processed. However thousands are still uninformed, confused about, or as yet, without recourse to this tax relief from the Step Forward Michigan program! For the first time, the County has changed the rules and decided to go after homeowners who have recently purchased their property, and whose taxes weren’t paid the current year of purchase. In the past, Wayne County worked with this set of homeowners to negotiate a plan for paying these back taxes. Due to this change, the County may seize the property (called “reversion”) without auction, if the back taxes aren’t paid by the following March 31st. What can be done? • In some past years Wayne County has suspended the auction of “owner-occupied homes.” This must be done again this year! • Every owner-occupied resident needs to be made aware of how to apply for the Step Forward program. The State needs to reduce the restrictions and red tape to make these funds available. • Wayne County must negotiate with new homeowners, not seize or “revert” their new homes! Detroit and Wayne County are stuck in dire economic conditions. Instead of quick bucks from undervalued sales of homes to speculators, we must prioritize keeping people in their homes and preserving our neighborhoods. Last year these undervalued sales actually cost Detroit about $80 million. Each year in Detroit, close to half of all property tax foreclosures are bank owned properties! The banks who have money, REFUSE to pay property taxes, and dump the property on the city. While people who can’t pay, due to real problems, face loss of their home! Keep people in Detroit and Wayne County in their homes! Stop expanding the blight! As one step in our campaign Stop the Wayne County Auction of Thousands of Owner-Owned Homes! We will attend the Wayne County Commissioners Meeting on Thursday, August 22nd at 10am at 500 Griswold (the Guardian Building in the Wayne County Commissioners Chambers in the basement ) Detroit, calling for their support to stop the auction! We are also organizing two Free Legal Clinics and organizing meetings to inform and build the campaign. One will be on Saturday, August 31st - 11am -2pmOld St. Johns Church- 2120 Russell St., Detroit and the other Sat., Sept.7th - 11am -2pm at UAW Local 600 - 10550Dix Ave., Dearborn. Also the Tax Foreclosure sub-committee meets weekly on Thursday at 5pm at Old St. John’s Church at 2120 Russell, just prior to the regular 6pm meeting of Detroit Eviction Defense. Wayne County must Stop the Sept. and Oct. Auctions of Owner Occupied Homes! Step Forward Michigan must reduce restrictions, red tape and speed up Release of Federal Funds to Prevent Tax Foreclosure! Wayne County must not seek “Reversion” to the County of Owner Occupied Homes!
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 02:49:57 +0000
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