GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Brown County is encouraging homeowners who are having trouble paying their property taxes to seek financial help through a program while the funds are still there.
The statewide, federally-funded Wisconsin Help for Homeowners Program was created in 2020 to provide relief to struggling homeowners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Brown County officials held a news conference Wednesday to let homeowners know about the program.
“We’re of course wanting those homeowners to one, stay in their home but two, make sure that they’re paying the property taxes that help us pay for all the services that are happening right inside their own municipalities and so the Brown County taxpayer is on the hook when individuals don’t pay their property taxes,” Brown County executive Troy Streckenbach explained.
According to Brown County Acting Treasurer Charles Mahlik, county delinquency taxes have increased about 13% over the previous year. Based on county records, Mahlik estimates about 330 households could benefit from the program, which has helped 169 households in the past two years.
Officials are encouraging qualifying residents to apply sooner rather than later because the program has limited funds.
To qualify:
- You must own your home, condo or duplex
- The delinquencies may only apply to the past four years
- Your median income must fall below the U.S. median, which is about $75,000, Mahlik estimates
The first installment of property taxes in Brown County are due Jan. 31.
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