DETROIT – June is Homeownership Month, a time to raise awareness about the benefits of owning a home and how to make homeownership more attainable to everyone.
Detroit homeowners can attend the Go 4 It Healthy Homes Resource Fair to gain access to valuable resources for continued successful homeownership.
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The resource fair is Saturday June 22nd from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Adams Butzel Complex at 10500 Lyndon Street in Detroit.
One of the most important things for homeowners to understand are their tax obligations. At the resource fair, Detroit homeowners to apply for the Homeowners Property Exemption Program (or HOPE), which provides qualified applicants the ability to reduce or eliminate their current year property tax obligation. Applicants must live in their property as their primary residence. For additional information on whether you might qualify, click here: City of Detroit HOPE Program.
Homeowners are encouraged to sign up for an appointment in advance to work with a housing counselor. Please click here to do so.
Other tax resources at the event will include information on the PAYS (Pay As You Stay) program, which provides reductions on delinquent back taxes. Homeowners who are eligible for HOPE and enrolled in PAYS automatically qualify for the Gilbert Family Foundation’s Detroit Tax Relief Fund, which completely eliminates delinquent tax debt owed by qualified Detroit homeowners.
HOPE and PAYS work together to keep qualifying Detroiters in their home! The City is urging all residents in need of current year property tax relief to apply for the Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE).
The final 2024 Deadline for the HOPE application is November 1, 2024. Read below to see how the programs work together.
Step 1. The Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE), formerly known as HPTAP, is an application where Detroit homeowners must apply annually to be exempt from their current year property taxes. If approved, you will still be responsible for any fees such as the solid waste fee. Homeowner Property tax exemptions are granted at 100%, partial 75%, 50%, 25%, or 10% (For those at risk of tax foreclosure).
Step 2. The Pay As You Stay (PAYS) program allows Detroit homeowners who are HOPE approved to receive a reduction on past due property taxes that are being collected by the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office.
Step 3. The Detroit Tax Relief Fund (DTRF) is administered by Wayne Metro to pay off the remaining property tax.
In addition to getting people signed up for HOPE, the Wayne County Treasurer’s Office will also be on site to offer programs for payment options. They will also provide assistance with applying for water affordability plans. Attendees can fill out Wayne Metro’s application form in advance.
In addition to housing resources, other valuable services will be provided. These include:
Detroit At Work: Offering information about DAW services including job opportunities, training, barrier removal, center locations and additional resources available at DAW career centers.
The Office of the Ombudsman: Providing a resource table to raise awareness of the function of the Ombudsman Office, as well as, the types of services they offer. They will also provide on-site assistance to address any deficiencies in follow-up or city services rendered by any of our City of Detroit Departments.
Human I-T: Creating equitable access to opportunity by providing devices, internet access, digital skills training, and tech support for communities left on the wrong side of the digital divide — while at the same time, empowering businesses and organizations to do good by diverting technology from landfills to protect our planet.
Many homeowner resources are only available online, which is why having a reliable computer and internet is so important. Human-I-T is a nonprofit and social enterprise that creates equitable access to opportunity by providing devices, internet access, digital skills training, and tech support for communities left on the wrong side of the digital divide, while at the same time, empowering businesses and organizations to do good by diverting technology from landfills to protect our planet.
Representatives from Human-I-T will be on-site to help attendees see if they qualify for free or low-cost Internet or digital devices.