Hamilton County treasurer describes pilot that wiped out $230,000 in delinquent taxes for low-value Cincinnati homes

Hamilton County Treasurer Jill Schiller told the Equitable Growth and Housing Committee that her officepresented a pilot program aimed at reducing small delinquent property-tax burdens for owner-occupied homes in Cincinnati, saying it has so far eliminated about $230,000 of outstanding taxes.

The program targeted city residents in single- or two-family homes with market values at or below $100,000 and delinquent balances of $10,000 or less. Schiller told the committee the office mailed roughly 250 letters, received about 60 responses (20 letters were undeliverable) and partnered with WIN (Working in Neighborhoods) to provide financial counseling and application assistance.

"We had some program goals which were essentially to eliminate delinquent property taxes for over 200 homeowners," Schiller said. She described the process as selling tax liens to the Hamilton County Land Bank at a discounted rate of 30 cents on the dollar; the land bank was contractually obligated not to sell or redeem those liens, after which her office wrote off the remaining debt.

The treasurer said the programcannot enroll more residents now because of tax-collection timing but expressed willingness to work with the city on additional rounds. Council members asked whether recipients skewed elderly; Schiller said her office does not collect demographic data beyond addresses, market value and delinquency amounts but that, "by general common sense, most of those folks are gonna be seniors on fixed incomes." She confirmed WIN has begun counseling participants.

Council members pressed for details about cost and neighborhood uptake. Schiller said the county accepted liens at roughly 30¢ on the dollar; council participants calculated the countyestimate meant the citywould have contributed about $75,000 to relieve $230,000 in debt under that formula.

Schiller urged continued legislative changes at the state level, recommending expansion of the homestead programto raise eligibility thresholds and increase the credittoward property taxes; she also recommended eliminating the nonbusiness tax credit and expanding owner-occupied credits so relief reaches homeowners rather than businesses.

Council members praised the pilot as a cost-effective way to preserve naturally affordable housing. Chair Mark Jeffries said keeping homeowners in place for "30¢ on the dollar" prevents higher downstream costs for homelessness and is "the humane right thing to do." Schiller said a second outreach could begin in March (after the first collection cycle) if timing and funding permit.

The committee did not record a formal vote on funding or ordinance changes during the session; Schiller asked to continue partnership with city staff for any future rounds.