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Oakland County treasurer outlines foreclosure timeline, urges residents to use assistance before March 31
Summary
Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg told the Farmington Hills City Council the county's three-year foreclosure process puts properties owing 2023 or earlier taxes at risk this year, urged residents to get on repayment plans and highlighted a $5,000 down-payment assistance grant and other supports.
Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg told the Farmington Hills City Council that residents who owe 2023 or earlier property taxes face a March 31 deadline to pay or enter a repayment plan to avoid judicial foreclosure.
Wittenberg laid out the county's three-year process, explaining that taxes move from delinquency to forfeiture and then to foreclosure if unresolved. He said the county sends statutory notifications, makes property visits and operates taxpayer assistance meetings to help owners find repayment and other resources.
"We don't know you need help unless you tell us you need help," Wittenberg said, urging residents to call the treasurer's office to schedule confidential assistance. He also noted that homeowners who lost property at foreclosure may be entitled to surplus funds after sale if they file a claim form by July 1.
In a question-and-answer exchange, Councilmember Bridges asked about the funding for a county program totaling $270,000. Wittenberg said the treasurer's office funds certain programs by investing surplus county funds and accepting a lower interest yield for the public-good program: "we invested it at 4%, and that 1% spread is what funds this program." He described eligibility rules for the $5,000 down-payment assistance: applicants must be first-time homebuyers (no ownership in the prior three years), meet income limits, complete a financial-education class and bring $1,000 of their own funds.
Wittenberg gave countywide context: Oakland County has roughly 500,000 parcels; many delinquencies are resolved before foreclosure and the number of actual foreclosures is relatively low, he said. He also listed help lines and resources the treasurer's office operates, including the Financial Empowerment Center (contact: (248) 858-0672) and the county treasurer website (oakgov.com/treasurer). Wittenberg recommended Lakeshore Legal Aid for eligible homeowners seeking free legal assistance and described other outreach such as multimedia campaigns and webinars on personal finances.
The council did not take formal action on the presentation. Residents seeking help were told to call the treasurer's office and to file a surplus claim by July 1 if their property is foreclosed and a surplus exists.
