‘HOMES’ Program Expansion to Benefit Homeowners with Property Taxes is on the Horizon
In an effort to provide much-needed support to homeowners facing financial difficulties, the Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Board Commissioners is exploring potential measures to extend aid.
On the agenda for their Tuesday night meeting is a thorough review of the HOMES program. This initiative, which was launched in 2021, provides crucial grants designed to assist homeowners with their property tax obligations.
In its inaugural year, the HOMES program saw an impressive turnout with 677 applications. Interestingly, this figure quadrupled in the subsequent year, indicating a growing need for such assistance programs within the community.
To address this mounting demand, the leaders of Mecklenburg County are keen on extending the program’s reach. They believe that an expansion will allow the initiative to serve the community more effectively and comprehensively.
As it stands, the HOMES program provides grants capped at $340 per applicant. These funds are channeled directly to the county tax collector’s office, where they are applied to reduce the applicant’s property tax debt.
This year witnessed more than 2,500 individuals applying for the program, and slightly over half of these applications were approved.
Looking ahead, the County leaders have already charted out a financial plan for the next year. They have allocated a budget of $13.8 million for the 2024 fiscal year. With these funds, they aim to increase the average grant size to $515, thereby enabling a larger number of recipients to benefit from the program.
However, it should be noted that the HOMES program primarily targets applicants with low-to-moderate incomes. To be eligible, applicants’ income levels must not exceed 80% of the area’s median income. This translates to roughly $75,000 for a family of four.
For those interested in applying, the grant application process will commence on July 1. Applications can be conveniently submitted online.
