Currently, the poorest people in our community pay the highest percentage of their income on property tax. This cost puts many long-time homeowners at risk of losing their homes and being displaced from their neighborhoods, which contributes to gentrification.

People’s Alliance and our partners continue to fight displacement and to keep long-time, low-income homeowners in their homes by calling for tax assistance grants for homeowners facing unaffordable property tax costs. We need PA members to email and call county commissioners now so they know this policy is a priority before their August 10 meeting. 

Take action now:

• Email all the commissioners here.
• Call Commissioner Brenda A. Howerton at (919) 599-8213
• Call Commissioner Ellen W. Reckhow at (919) 383-3883
• Call Commission Vice Chair James Hill at (984) 260-5975
• Call Commissioner Heidi Carter at (919) 225-4268
• Call Commission Chair Wendy Jacobs at (919) 418-3169

ALSO email the City Council to support property tax assistance grants to help low-income, long-time homeowners keep their homes. Make sure to write before their meeting on August 17, 7:00pm. Email the whole council here. 

Ask the County Commission to support tax assistance grants to keep taxes affordable for low-income homeowners. We are proposing grants for long-time homeowners at or below 30% of area median income (which is about $20,000/year). The grants would ensure that low-income homeowners pay no more than 1% of their income in property tax.  

Tell the County Commission that a grant gives homeowners security from tax foreclosure. The current alternative to grants offered by the county is to defer delinquent taxes, which the homeowner would have to pay with 9% interest and fees. If the county stopped the program, low income homeowners could lose their homes.  

You can also submit written comments for the August 10 commission meeting in favor of tax assistance grants by emailing [email protected].

BOCC meetings & agendas are posted when available here.