AUDIO: Kalamazoo County board renews funding to help people facing foreclosure from tax issues

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – The Kalamazoo County board has renewed funding for a program to help prevent home foreclosure and to prevent even more from becoming homeless.

The program, operated by the Treasurer for years, helps homeowners who are three years in arrears on taxes, and on the verge of losing their home.

But Treasurer Thomas Whitener says some just can’t pay, due to loss of income, medical bills or some other calamity.

He says the $50,000 he requested and received last night from the county board will help him make sure those residents are not left homeless.

He says most of the people they help have options, and by agreeing to payment plans, can have their foreclosures delayed. This funding isn’t for them.

Whitener says they use a number of techniques to let homeowners facing foreclosure know that help is available, including knocking on doors.

Commissioners approved the $50,000 request for funding and discussed ways to make it a permanent program.

The city of Kalamazoo separately pays the County Treasurer’s office to help their struggling homeowners avoid foreclosure.

It’s part of the overall strategy by the county to address homelessness, begun by former County Treasurer and now Housing Director Mary Balkema.

Whitener says anyone who owes back property taxes can get assistance, whether they are facing foreclosures now, or possibly in the future. All the information is available at the county website under the heading “Foreclosure Prevention.”