Oakland County Families May Benefit from Delinquent Taxes Program

According to Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, Oakland County is participating in a new property tax foreclosure prevention initiative that will help pay the delinquent taxes, interest, and fees of eligible homeowners up to $30,000 from federal “Hardest Hit” dollars administered by the Michigan Housing Development Authority (MSHDA).

“Step Forward Michigan’s Loan Rescue Program for delinquent taxes is going live tomorrow, and we want to have every eligible Oakland County family first in line,” Meisner said. “This helps families keep their homes, and helps the County’s bottom line.”

Under the program, which starts Jan. 15, delinquent taxpayers may be eligible to have their delinquent taxes, interest, fees, and condominium association dues paid off from a pool of federal foreclosure relief dollars Michigan received initially for mortgage foreclosure prevention, but is now expanding eligibility to include payment of back taxes.

In order to qualify, homeowners must live in their home as a primary residence, demonstrate a significant hardship that has caused them to fall behind on their property tax obligations, and they can’t have more than 6 months of family cash reserves. Previous beneficiaries of other Hardest Hit/Step Forward Michigan programs are not eligible.

“We’re working closely with certified housing counselors throughout Oakland County to get the word out about this extraordinary opportunity,” said Meisner. “We want to make certain that eligible Oakland County families are first in line when funding becomes available next week.”

For more information, contact Deputy Treasurer Lauren Bloom at 248-858-0624, visit stepforwardmichigan.org, or call the hotline, 866-946-7432.