I support providing tax relief to homeowners who may have fallen behind on their tax payments. I would support removal of the entire section of MCC3.48.450 G. This requirement of removing a homeowners exemption upon falling one year behind on tax payments was added to the code in July 2011 when other amendments were made to ensure that those being granted homeowner exemptions were truly qualified for the exemption. The Council committee never really discussed this new draconian rule when passing the other amendments. They were warned in testimony from Dave Deleon that these changes could hurt our most vulnerable citizens. And that is exactly what has happened.
I observed a neighbor of mine lose their homeowner exemption and tax classification when the patriarc of the family died and his 80 plus year old widow failed to pay the property taxes. then the tax bill increased from $1000 to $4000 and now this family finds themselves $17,900 behind in propertytaxes.
Aloha Councilmembers, I am writing to voice support for Bill 121.
The bill ensures protections for kupuna and Hawaiian Home Lands lessees as it relates to property taxes, codifying in statute the maintaining of the homeowner exemption for homeowners.
Furthermore, the bill incentivizes payment plans so back property taxes are actually paid back to the County. In our work, we have seen the Counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and City and County of Honolulu use similar payment plan options to work with homeowners, who may have experienced financial hardship, to establish a regular monthly payment amount that is affordable.
Please consider passing Bill 121.
Mahalo,
Jeff Gilbreath
Hawaii Community Lending
Hawaiian Community Assets
I support providing tax relief to homeowners who may have fallen behind on their tax payments. I would support removal of the entire section of MCC3.48.450 G. This requirement of removing a homeowners exemption upon falling one year behind on tax payments was added to the code in July 2011 when other amendments were made to ensure that those being granted homeowner exemptions were truly qualified for the exemption. The Council committee never really discussed this new draconian rule when passing the other amendments. They were warned in testimony from Dave Deleon that these changes could hurt our most vulnerable citizens. And that is exactly what has happened.
I observed a neighbor of mine lose their homeowner exemption and tax classification when the patriarc of the family died and his 80 plus year old widow failed to pay the property taxes. then the tax bill increased from $1000 to $4000 and now this family finds themselves $17,900 behind in propertytaxes.
Aloha Councilmembers, I am writing to voice support for Bill 121.
The bill ensures protections for kupuna and Hawaiian Home Lands lessees as it relates to property taxes, codifying in statute the maintaining of the homeowner exemption for homeowners.
Furthermore, the bill incentivizes payment plans so back property taxes are actually paid back to the County. In our work, we have seen the Counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and City and County of Honolulu use similar payment plan options to work with homeowners, who may have experienced financial hardship, to establish a regular monthly payment amount that is affordable.
Please consider passing Bill 121.
Mahalo,
Jeff Gilbreath
Hawaii Community Lending
Hawaiian Community Assets