LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Officers in Ingham County are going door-to-door to assist owners who’ve fallen behind on property taxes and will quickly face foreclosures.
A 6 Information reporter hung out with Ingham County Treasurer’s Workplace officers as they knocked on doorways, making one ultimate push to succeed in these owners prone to shedding their properties.
All tax forclorses occur on the identical day, March 31. Ingham County Treasurer Alan Fox and his group work each March and April to contact owners earlier than it is too late.
“We’ll do everything we can where houses are owner-occupied to keep people in their houses, set up payment plans. We’ll do everything the law allows us to do,” stated Fox.
For individuals who do not reply the door, Fox will go away a discover with the quantity due and a ultimate warning.
“There’s a phone number that’s circled. Call us now, let’s make arrangments, let’s keep this out of foreclosure,” stated Fox.
Whereas some homeowners cooperate, others push again. Fox spoke to a disabiled veteran who’s eligible for a tax exemption however will nonetheless owe charges for metropolis companies.
“The tax exemption doesn’t include the city recycling bin and other special assessments,” stated Fox.
For some properties, unpaid taxes are tied to tragedy.
“Tammy used to live at this house. She was our neighbor. She was really close to my mom,” stated Taveair Covington.
One of many properties dealing with foreclosures was owned by Tamara Hicksyron. She handed away final October.
“When Tammy passed, we all were sad. It was unfortunate, and she had beat cancer before, but it came back more aggressive this time. So it was a hard loss for all of us,” stated Covington.
Neighbors constructed a free library and meals pantry to honor her and her love for schooling.
The house now stays frozen in time. Furnishings has been left untouched, and outdated political indicators can nonetheless be seen within the home windows.
“This is often a long process of getting somebody to work with us and understand that we’re really doing everything we can not to take houses away,” stated Fox.
Fox says his mission is straightforward: preserve as many individuals of their properties as doable. He says the workplace will proceed working with owners by way of April to stop foreclosures every time doable.
