As housing affordability stresses many residents, Cuyahoga County introduces a new measure to assist older taxpayers struggling with property taxes. County Executive Chris Ronayne and County Treasurer Brad Cromes have unveiled the Cuyahoga County Taxpayer Assistance Program. If greenlit by the County Council, this proposal could provide up to $10,000 in one-time help to qualified residents. According to a Cuyahoga County news release, this program aims to target those aged 70 or older who are behind on their property taxes.
"In Cuyahoga County, we recognize that many residents struggle to stay current on their property taxes, and this can lead to additional financial challenges," Ronayne stated, as described in the Cuyahoga County news release, signaling the county’s intention to support its senior homeowners actively. The program, slated to be brought up at the County Council meeting quickly, will also include housing counseling services designed to better equip recipients with the means to manage their finances.
With an initial allocation of $2.5 million per year for two years from the Delinquent Tax & Assessment Collection fund, $2 million would go toward direct taxpayer assistance annually, and $500,000 would be set aside for housing counseling services each year. "The Treasurer's Office is committed to helping our most vulnerable taxpayers stay on track with their taxes and build strong financial futures," said Treasurer Cromes in remarks echoed by Cuyahoga County's announcement. "We are excited about this new program’s potential to do that and look forward to working with our partners to deliver."
Eligible applicants for the assistance must be 70 or over, hold ownership of the property in question, and have a yearly household income of under $70,000. They also need to engage in housing counseling with CHN Housing Partners, which will focus on providing the tools necessary for making informed choices and managing their budget effectively. The assistance, limited to once per household, can bring delinquent taxes up to date, cover current taxes, and address associated foreclosure costs. Kevin J. Nowak, CEO of CHN Housing Partners, said in statements reported by the Cuyahoga County website, “Our principal goal is to ensure that residents have the tools and resources they need to find and retain stable, affordable housing.”
