To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Samuel E. Muma, Treasurer
title
RE: Approval of a grant award from Rocket Community Fund, in the amount of $100,000.00, to fund a Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position at Genesee County's Office of the Treasurer; this position will work to promote the Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program in Genesee County
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Accept a grant from Rocket Community Fund to fund a position to promote the Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program in Genesee County.
BACKGROUND:
Rocket Community Fund worked with Wayne County the last several years to promote the HOPE program as a mechanism to keep homeowners in their houses and avoid tax foreclosure due to non-payment of taxes. Rocket Community is extending this grant to other counties in the State of Michigan in an effort to increase the number of homeowners successfully applying and receiving the exemption. The position funded by this grant would be responsible for assisting homeowner’s with the HOPE application and submitting it to the local unit of government. They will also be attending community events and working with other County departments to identify homeowners who may be eligible for the HOPE program.
DISCUSSION:
The HOPE program is governed by MCL 211.7u and states that a homeowner must own and occupy a property as their principal residence, submit an application after January 1 each year and meet the federal poverty guidelines or alternative guidelines adopted by the governing body of the local assessing body. The Treasurer’s office works with homeowners every year by extending the time to pay delinquent taxes to avoid foreclosure. Most of these homeowners are living on a fixed salary and potentially qualify for the HOPE program. The intent of this grant is to assist the homeowners with the application and submission to the local unit.
IMPACT ON HUMAN RESOURCES:
The impact on Human Resources would be posting and screening applicants for the position that was passed by the Board at a previous meeting.
IMPACT ON BUDGET:
There would be no impact on the general fund budget as any additional funding would be paid from the DTR fund. A budget adjustment was included with the request to post and fill the Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist job that was passed by the Board at a previous meeting.
IMPACT ON FACILITIES:
There is currently available space in the Treasurer’s office for the position being funded by the grant.
IMPACT ON TECHNOLOGY:
The IT Department would need to set up the new employee with access to the required system to complete the job.
CONFORMITY TO COUNTY PRIORITIES:
This grant will impact neighborhoods and promote healthy, livable and stable communities by assisting homeowners to reduce their tax liability and ultimately stay in their homes. It promotes an inclusive and collaborative culture within the County as the Treasurer’s office will be working with other departments to identify potential homeowners as well as attending community events to promote the HOPE program.
resolution
TO THE HONORABLE CHAIRPERSON AND MEMBERS OF THE GENESEE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, GENESEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
BE IT RESOLVED, by this Board of County Commissioners of Genesee County, Michigan, that the request by the County Treasurer to authorize accepting a grant in the amount of $100,000 from, and entering into a support agreement with, Rocket Community Fund, whereby the contractor will provide funding for a Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position to promote the HOPE program within Genesee County, and any costs not covered by the grant will be paid from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund (DTRF) for the term commencing November 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, is approved (a copy of the memorandum request and supporting documents being on file with the official records of the November 5, 2025 meeting of the finance committee of this Board), and the Chairperson of this Board is authorized to execute the agreement on behalf of Genesee County.