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Board removes owner‑occupied properties under $250,000 from 2025 tax sale; advocates urge raising threshold
Summary
The Board approved a Law Department resolution to remove owner‑occupied properties valued under $250,000 from the 2025 tax sale and supporters urged the city to consider raising the threshold to protect legacy homeowners.
The Board of Estimates approved a Law Department resolution on May 7 to remove owner‑occupied properties valued at less than $250,000 from the 2025 tax sale list, a measure the Law Department and advocates said aims to prevent foreclosures on financially vulnerable owners.
Matthew Bradford, chief of staff in the Law Department, presented the resolution and said the action recognizes the financial challenges some owner occupants face paying taxes and other charges that become liens on property. The resolution directs removal of owner‑occupied parcels valued under $250,000 from the 2025 tax sale list.
Advocates from legal aid and community organizations spoke in support. Nika Nnamdi of the SOS Fund said the action was helpful but urged the city to consider raising the cutoff because rising market values are pushing previously low‑valued properties above the $250,000 line. Nnamdi told the board the pro bono resource center recommended a $300,000 threshold based on recent client cases.
Council Member Odette Ramos, who has advocated on the issue, and Council President Zeke Cohen supported the resolution and said payment plans, outreach and improved notice remain priorities to keep qualifying homeowners in their homes. The BOE approved the resolution as presented; board members said future adjustments to thresholds and payment plans should be considered and coordinated with Finance and Law.
