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Chatham County launches tax‑relief program for long‑term low‑income homeowners; board approves $200,000 rollout
Summary
Chatham County commissioners approved a new $200,000 tax‑relief pilot on Jan. 21 to help low‑income homeowners who have lived in their primary residence five or more years; eligible households may receive up to $500 back, subject to income and other limits.
Chatham County commissioners approved a new county tax‑relief program for long‑term, low‑income homeowners at the Jan. 21 meeting.
Jason Smith, the county—s director of housing and community development, presented the proposed program framework, which the board authorized after discussion. The county allocated $200,000 for the initial rollout; individual participants can receive up to $500 as a refund applied as a county check after qualifying. The program is intended for residents who meet the following eligibility criteria: they must be Chatham County residents, the property must be their primary residence for at least five years, they must be current on all tax bills (the program is not intended to clear delinquent bills), and they must not be receiving other tax‑relief assistance under another program during the same period.
Smith described an income eligibility limit set at 60% of area median income (AMI), the common HUD definition for low income. The program also limits the refund to no more than 50% of a household—s tax bill; for example, a tax bill of $800 would yield a maximum $400 refund (but the overall $500 cap still applies). Smith said the parameters were chosen to stretch county dollars to serve the most households while providing meaningful relief.
Applications will be accepted online and in paper form (available at DSS and the tax office); staff plan outreach to stapled flyers on late tax notices and informational flyers included with tax bills. The first wave of applicants is expected when late notices are mailed in February and again when tax bills are mailed in August. Smith told commissioners the program is being structured as a year‑one pilot: county staff will track applications, denials and reasons for ineligibility and return to the board with data and recommendations for changes in year two.
The board voted to approve the program as presented; staff will implement application intake and begin outreach ahead of the February late notices.
Contact: Jason Smith, Director, Housing and Community Development.
