Imagine standing at the edge of losing the very home you’ve worked so hard to keep, simply because rising property taxes and mounting bills have become overwhelming. For many Detroiters, this scenario is all too real as they face the looming threat of foreclosure. With wages that haven’t kept pace with the cost of living and a city still grappling with the aftershocks of economic decline, thousands of homeowners find themselves at risk of being displaced from their communities. The weight of property taxes has created a cycle of financial strain that threatens to destabilize the lives of families across Detroit—especially for Black residents, who bear the brunt of this crisis.
Deadlines are tightening for Detroiters seeking a vital opportunity to avoid property tax foreclosure through the city’s Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program. Detroiters now have until November 1, 2024—a full month earlier than in previous years—to submit applications. The earlier deadline aims to provide the city’s Property Assessment Board of Review more time to process and review submissions, while giving residents a better chance to complete their paperwork and avoid foreclosure.
In recent years, Detroiters have leaned on the HOPE program to gain relief from the burden of property taxes, especially in a city where rising costs have placed increasing pressure on residents already struggling to maintain homeownership. The City of Detroit shifted the deadline in response to the growing number of applications submitted each year, with officials stressing that the earlier deadline offers a critical advantage to many who would otherwise be caught in the foreclosure system due to incomplete or last-minute submissions.
What is HOPE and Why is it Important?
The HOPE program is designed to reduce or fully exempt qualifying Detroit homeowners from paying property taxes based on their household income. The goal of this initiative is straightforward—helping Detroiters avoid the devastating cycle of property tax foreclosure that has gripped the city for years. The program targets households whose income levels meet certain thresholds, which can result in significant financial relief for those who qualify.
“The earlier deadline will allow us to better manage the high volume of applications, especially those that come in without the necessary documentation,” said Willie Donwell, director of the City of Detroit’s Property Assessment Board of Review. “This additional time is crucial to helping as many Detroit homeowners qualify for the program and ultimately avoid foreclosure.”
Last year, Detroit saw over 21,300 HOPE applications, and city officials expect similar numbers for 2024. Of those applications, around 7,000 are carryovers from the previous year, emphasizing the importance of early submission to ensure the board has sufficient time to review all cases.
Who Qualifies for the HOPE Program?
The HOPE program is available to Detroit homeowners who both own and occupy their homes as their primary residence. To be eligible, households must meet specific income limits. For a family of three, the income limit for a full exemption is $26,849. The program was created to provide relief to Detroiters struggling to make ends meet, especially those at risk of losing their homes due to unpaid property taxes.
City officials have noted that most applicants whose incomes fall below the program’s requirements are generally approved. However, one significant issue in the past has been the high number of incomplete applications submitted close to the deadline. Last year, over half of the 2,500 applications submitted between November 1 and December 11 were missing key documents or information, leaving many residents vulnerable to foreclosure despite their attempts to apply.
By moving the deadline to November 1, the city hopes to prevent a repeat of that situation and give homeowners more time to submit complete applications.
How to Apply for HOPE
For Detroiters hoping to secure relief through the HOPE program, there are several ways to apply before the November 1 deadline. Applications must be submitted by 4:30 p.m., and residents can apply through a variety of methods:
- Online: Applications can be submitted electronically through the City of Detroit’s HOPE website at bit.ly/DetroitHOPEApplication. Residents can also print a form from the site and drop off their completed applications at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.
- Phone: Residents can call the Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine at 866-313-2520 to schedule an appointment with a housing counselor, who can assist with submitting a HOPE application.
- In-Person Help: Several in-person housing resource fairs will be held throughout October to assist residents with their applications. These events will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the following dates and locations:
- Saturday, October 5 at the Northwest Activities Center, located at 18100 Meyers Road.
- Saturday, October 12 at the Abayomi Community Development Corp., located at 24331 West Eight Mile Road.
- Saturday, October 26 at Perfecting Church, located at 7616 Nevada Avenue.
These fairs provide an important opportunity for residents to receive in-person assistance with their applications and to ensure all necessary documentation is included. Given the number of applications that were left incomplete last year, attending these fairs could make the difference between staying in one’s home and facing foreclosure.
Why This Matters
For many Detroiters, the HOPE program is a lifeline; it is a crucial step toward breaking the cycle of displacement and instability that has plagued the city. Detroit has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country, and property tax foreclosures disproportionately impact Black homeowners, exacerbating long-standing issues of economic and housing inequity. Programs like HOPE are vital tools in the fight to preserve homeownership and create stability in communities hit hardest by economic hardship.
As the November 1 deadline approaches, it is essential for homeowners to take full advantage of the resources and assistance available to them. Ensuring that applications are complete and submitted on time could mean the difference between keeping a home or losing it to foreclosure.
