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Steve Neavling
Houses on Detroit's east side.
Tens of thousands of Detroit homeowners who were over-taxed because of inflated property value assessments would be eligible for discounted, city-owned properties and given priorities for jobs, affordable housing, and other government assistance under a plan announced by Mayor Mike Duggan on Tuesday.
Five of Detroit’s nine city council members co-sponsored the plan, which they plan to introduce Tuesday.
Under the proposal, homeowners who were over-taxed between 2010 and 2013 would be eligible for the perks until the end of 2024.
The city has acknowledged it over-assessed the value of homes during that period, causing inflated property tax bills that are to blame for a crushing wave of foreclosures. Duggan does not plan to offer a rebate.
It’s unclear how many homeowners were impacted, but the city shaved off nearly one billion dollars from tax bills when property values were readjusted.
The impact of over-assessed properties was widespread and devastating. Between 2010 and 2016, the city over-billed homeowners by at least $600 million, or an average of $3,800 per home, according to
a Detroit News investigation. The review of 173,000 Detroit homes found that more than 92% were over-assessed during that period.
“For many residents across Detroit home ownership is the first step in building generational wealth and economic stability,” Duggan said in a news release. “Years of over assessment took that from families, and this is an effort to ensure some of what was lost is restored."
Here are the perks under consideration:
• 50% discount on auctioned houses or side lots purchased from the Detroit Land Bank Authority;
• Preference for city jobs;
• Children and grandchildren of eligible residents will be given a priority for summer jobs through the Grow Detroit’s Young Talent program;
• Preferential access to job services through Detroit at Work;
• Preferential enrollment in the city’s Rehab Academy;
• Preferential enrollment in the senior home retrofit program;
• Preference for affordable housing.
The perks are expected to cost about $6 million.
Under the plan, the Office of the Assessors will determine eligibility based on property records.
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