To: Martin L. Cousineau, Finance Committee Chairperson
From: Samuel E. Muma, Treasurer
title
RE: Approval to create, post & fill a Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position in the Treasurer's Office contingent on receiving a grant from Rocket Community Fund
recommendation
BOARD ACTION REQUESTED:
Approval to create, post and fill a Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position with hiring contingent on receiving a grant from Rocket Community Fund.
BACKGROUND:
MCL 211.7u requires all city and township local units of government to adopt a poverty exemption policy. A person must own and occupy as a principal residence the property for which the exemption is being requested. The owner must complete an application, on a state prescribed form, and submit it to the local unit assessing department and include documentation as described under MCL 211.7u(2)(a) - MCL 21137(u)(2)(e) after January 1 each year but before the day prior to the last board of review. One requirement is to meet the federal poverty guidelines or alternative guidelines as adopted by the governing body of the local assessing body. Every year the Treasurer's office works with homeowners who own and occupy as their principal residence and apply for additional time to avoid foreclosure of their property. Many of these individuals are living on a fixed income that falls at or below the federal poverty guidelines
DISCUSSION:
Rocket Community Fund has worked with Wayne County to promote the poverty exemption, or Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) in an effort to keep individuals in their property. Rocket Community Fund is offering a grant to assist other counties in promoting the HOPE program. The Genesee County Treasurer's office submitted a grant request to Rocket Community Fund for a $100,000 grant to cover the cost of a Tax Foreclosure Outreach Specialist position. The primary responsibility of this position will be to assist homeowners with the HOPE application as well as ensuring all require...
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