PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Alexis Foote, Founder of ReAL Edgemere Community Land Trust on Tax Lien Sale Impact
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Alexis Foote, founder of ReAL Edgemere Community Land Trust, testifies about the devastating impact of the tax lien sale on homeowners in Far Rockaway, particularly those still recovering from Hurricane Sandy. She emphasizes the need for better education and support for homeowners facing the tax lien sale.
- Highlights the lack of notification to homeowners about their homes being included in the tax lien sale
- Stresses the financial burden on a community already struggling with inadequate services and infrastructure
- Calls for the city to provide more education and assistance to help homeowners avoid or manage tax lien sales
Alexis Foote
1:05:52
name is Alexis Foote.
Alexander Knipenberg
1:05:53
Okay.
1:05:53
I don't know why it's echoing, but I hope that you support the
Alexis Foote
1:05:53
book book don't know why it's echoing, but I hope
Alexander Knipenberg
1:05:57
that you support the both both
Alexis Foote
1:05:58
of the bills that are in the, tax lien.
1:06:02
I'm from Far Rockaway.
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I was born and raised in a home, and I live in Far Rockaway.
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And a lot of our homeowners are being affected, especially the back end by the tax lane sale because they don't know that their homes are going on sale on the tax lane sale.
1:06:17
My community has been just devastated by Hurricane Sandy, and my homeowners cannot afford to have their homes put in a tax line sale.
1:06:27
I am the founder and board member of the Real Edge and Bear Community Land Trust, which stands for residents acquiring land, And the majority of my homeowners are scared of the tax sale because it doesn't give them an opportunity to pay off their water bills, to have a chance to catch up to the bills.
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Another thing, the city needs to make sure that they educate our homeowners on ways to get out of the tax lien sale.
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Once again, I'm sorry for the echoing, but my community is suffering because of the tax lien sale.
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We're suffering because we're not getting enough services out and far all the way.
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We are a transportation desert and an amenities desert, and we need the city to look out for us.
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We need a hospital.
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We have all these needs, and the tax time still just puts me more bravery on my back and ground my wounds.
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Thank you.
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I'm sorry.