Policy Change to Prevent Property Tax Foreclosures: Reducing Tax Burdens, Promoting Racial Equity, and Protecting Older Adults

Many states will be re-writing their property tax foreclosure laws in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Tyler v.  Hennepin County. This opens up a window of opportunity to broadly improve property tax systems. One of the most important ways to prevent tax foreclosure is to ensure that low-income and older homeowners have access to all available exemptions and discounts. Yet many older adults who are at risk of tax foreclosure have not taken advantage of all the existing tax relief options available to them. Heirs who have inherited a family home are even less likely to get access to these benefits.

This session will dive into the most impactful policy solutions to reduce the tax burdens on older adults, low-income people, and people of color, leaving you with actionable steps to work for change in your community. 

Speakers:

• Odette Williamson, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center
• Andrea Bopp Stark, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center
• John Rao, Senior Attorney at the National Consumer Law Center
• Kristopher Smith, Community Development Program Officer at LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) Jacksonville