Wayne County Extends Deadline For Homeowners To Pay Back Taxes, Avoid Foreclosure
DETROIT (CBS DETROIT) - Tuesday's deadline for thousands of Wayne County residents facing foreclosure has now been extended. Homeowners will now have until June 8 to make arrangements to save their home.
Wayne County Treasurer Raymond J. Wojtowicz announced plans for the second extension (the first ran through May 12) saying the county will work with taxpayers to address arrearage.
"I have heard from distressed taxpayers who hadn't heard of these new programs, consulted with community groups and other government officials, and determined we need a few more weeks to reach those who are still facing foreclosure," said Wojtowicz.
Meanwhile, WWJ City Beat reporter Vickie Thomas reports, many people who are facing foreclosure rallied outside the Wayne County Treasurers Office.
Detroit activist Helen Moore says it's important for the administration to know that foreclosure will mean homelessness to some of these folks.
"We can't allow that to happen," said Moore.
"And it's thousands of people," says Diane Feely with Detroit Eviction Defense, "this will be the largest foreclosure and eviction that Detroit has gone through and it's being done by the city and the county. Our money should not be used to do this. Our money should be used to keep people in their homes - that's the way we stop blight in Detroit."
The protesters are seeking a complete moratorium on tax foreclosures.
This year the Treasurer commenced foreclosure proceedings on 75,000 properties throughout Wayne County. These represent properties where the taxes had not been paid for 2012 or prior years. Since then, 40,000 of those properties have been either permanently or temporarily saved from foreclosure due to having the taxes paid or having the owners enter into payment agreements. Nearly 20,000 have paid the taxes due and 24,000 are on various payment plan options with the Treasurer.
Of the 30,000 properties still facing foreclosure, it is believed 11,761 are vacant lots and 8,742 are unoccupied structures leaving 10,379 occupied structures facing foreclosure. Of these, 4,402 are likely owner occupied residences who are aggressively being reached.
"We continue to offer payment agreements and hope people will access the Step Forward program to help pay their taxes," added Wojtowicz.
Step Forward is a program that can provide federal funds to pay a home owner's delinquent taxes. To learn more, contact the Treasurer's Office at (313) 224-5990, email them at taxinfo@waynecounty.com, or visit their offices at 400 Monroe in Detroit.
