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Thomasville council adopts lien-and-foreclosure policy to target long-vacant properties
Summary
The council unanimously approved a lien-and-foreclosure policy focusing on vacant properties with liens exceeding $2,500 and two years of delinquency; the policy allows owner remedies, market sales, or city acquisition and contemplates initial partnership with Home Solutions.
The Thomasville City Council on June 16 adopted a new Lien and Foreclosure Policy designed to address vacant properties with liens exceeding $2,500 that have been delinquent for at least two years.
City Manager Michael Brandt said the policy is intended to encourage property owners to resolve liens, allow properties to be sold, or enable the city to acquire properties for community development. Brandt said the initiative focuses on vacant properties in neighborhoods with concentrations of low- to moderate-income residents and complements code enforcement and homelessness-related programs.
Brandt said the city would initially partner with Home Solutions of Davidson County but would not preclude private investors from participating in foreclosure sales. The policy includes a two-year window for owners to address liens before the city initiates foreclosure measures.
Councilmember JacQuez Johnson moved to approve the policy; the motion passed unanimously 7-0.
The policy outlines multiple potential outcomes for delinquent properties—owner payoff and retention, sale prior to foreclosure, purchase by other buyers at auction, or acquisition by the city for redevelopment. No funding allocation for acquisitions was specified during the meeting.
