City Postpones Controversial Tax Lien Sale By 2 Weeks

The city will now hold off on selling the debt of property owners who make the list if they owe taxes or water sewer and exigency repair charges until June The extension gives New Yorkers more time to take action and get help Department of Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack revealed Buildings in Brooklyn Photo by Adi Talwar The city will delay the return of its controversial tax lien sale for two additional weeks an effort to give home and property owners more time to address their debts and avoid it authorities revealed Thursday It will now take place June rather than May as originally planned Since the Giuliani administration the city has attempted to collect on delinquent tax water or emergency repair bills by selling the debt to an authorized buyer usually a trust which typically begins charging fees and interest on any unpaid liens It can lead to foreclosure and has historically hit homeowners in communities of color the hardest This year is the first time the city will hold the sale since the COVID- pandemic Over the years multiple housing advocates have called to abolish the practice saying it puts vulnerable small homeowners at liability of homelessness or exploitation by predatory lenders It s the same areas that historically were redlined it s the same areas that were targeted that had racial predatory lending It s the same areas that have suffered from discrimination for decades almost a century mentioned Kevin Wolfe deputy director of advocacy and populace affairs at the Center for NYC Neighborhoods in an interview with City Limits last month In an effort to address that criticism the City Council and the Adams administration passed reforms last year including the creation of a new Easy Exit Effort under which eligible households can avoid having their debt sold for up to a year and a million outreach campaign that offers free counseling for homeowners There are other procedures people can get their buildings off the sales list they can pay their debts in full enroll in a payment plan apply for a property tax exemption or submit a probate application This extension gives New Yorkers more time to take action and get help commented Department of Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack in a comment Thursday We re doing everything we can to connect property owners with payment options and encouragement services to help them avoid the lien sale and stay in their homes If you or someone you know is at liability now is the time to reach out You can find more information and support from the city here or visit the Center for NYC Neighborhoods Homeowner Help Desk here To reach the editor contact Jeanmarie citylimits org Want to republish this story Find City Limits reprint agenda here The post City Postpones Controversial Tax Lien Sale By Weeks appeared first on City Limits