Detroit Evening Report: Wayne County’s tax foreclosure deadline is this Sunday

Property owners at risk of foreclosure in Wayne County must pay any back taxes, interest or penalties and fees owed by March 31 — the county’s Tax Foreclosure deadline — or risk losing their property.

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Detroit City Councilwoman Latisha Johnson from District 4 is sharing resources from her office to help prevent folks from losing their home.

There is the Homeowner’s Property Exemption, or HOPE, which allows Detroit homeowners to apply for an exemption from their current year property taxes or to reduce their taxes based on household income or circumstances. There is also the Pay As You Stay, or PAYS program, which allows Detroit homeowners who are HOPE approved to receive a reduction on past due property taxes.

Additionally, there is the Detroit Tax Relief Fund, administered by the Wayne Metro Community Action Agency, to pay off remaining property tax balances from residents who have been approved for HOPE and PAYS.

Councilwoman Latisha Johnson says increasing affordable housing in the area is a major focus for her.

“There is one particular developer that I am working with for them to build 100 two-unit townhouses that will be affordable,” she said. “It’s affordable because they will be able to rent out one of the units and utilize that income producing unit to bring down their mortgage, taxes, and insurance costs.”

For more information about foreclosure relief, call 313-224-4841.

Other headlines for Monday, May 25, 2024:

• The Detroit Right to Council Coalition is encouraging residents to attend the city of Detroit’s public budget hearings at 5 p.m. on April 1 and April 8,  to fight against unjust and illegal evictions in the area.
• The Michigan Career Expo is planned for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Wednesday, March 27, at the Radisson Hotel in Southfield.
• The city of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department is currently surveying residents with disabilities to help the agency better understand their housing needs and their own experiences when trying to find affordable housing.
• The Zekelman Holocaust Center will present a virtual program titled “Black Heroines of World War II,” featuring Duke University Professor Annette Joseph-Gabriel, on Thursday, March 22.
• For all college basketball fans, two of the Sweet 16 games and one elite 8 game will be at Little Caesars Arena on Friday and Sunday, respectively. On Friday No. 1 Purdue and No. 5 Gonzaga will go head to head at 7:39 p.m. and No. 2 Tennessee and No. 3 Creighton will go head to head at 10:09 p.m.

Do you have a community story we should tell? Let us know in an email at detroiteveningreport@wdet.org.