PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Lacey Tauber, Representative from Brooklyn Borough President's Office on Property Tax Exemptions and Deed Theft Prevention
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Lacey Tauber, representing Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, testified in support of several bills aimed at preventing deed theft and improving outreach to homeowners about property tax exemptions. She emphasized the importance of protecting older adult homeowners from predatory practices and ensuring that property owners have the necessary information to protect their homes.
- Expressed support for Intro 782-A, which would provide information about property tax exemptions and the ACRIS Alert System
- Endorsed Intro 1086, which requires more proactive outreach from the Department of Finance
- Supported Intro 899, creating a role for city council members in assisting with outreach to long-term homeowners
- Also expressed support for Intro 783 and Resolution 327
Lacey Tauber
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Thanks.
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Good morning, Tara Burna, and thank you for holding this hearing today.
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I'm here representing Brooklyn Borough president Antonio Reynoso.
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In November, our office testified at another council hearing about deed theft, and we encourage the council to hear these bills.
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So thank you for acting quickly to make this hearing happen.
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As was discussed at length at that hearing, deed theft is a pressing issue in Brooklyn, especially for older adult homeowners.
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Deep debt scammers are targeting these communities, through illegal tactics such as refinancing scams, equity stripping, and foreclosure bailout loans, resulting in the displacement of our neighbors and the loss of generational wealth.
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Additionally, unfortunately, the council reinstated the tax lien sale last year, albeit with significant updates to help homeowners avoid having their liens sold and new options for keeping people in their homes.
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But still any sale of liens to private purchasers can put property owners at risk of foreclosure and open the door for predatory actors.
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We wanna prevent this and that's gonna take interagency coordination at city and state levels.
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Today, what we're really focused on is the department of finance's role in outreach and education.
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And what we really wanna do is just ensure that the homeowners have the tools and information they need, to protect their homes.
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And so the borough president supports, 782 a, in addition to saving property owners money, having information about exemptions, will exempt them from the lien sale, and, having, information about the Acris Alert System is an important tool for awareness if someone has made unauthorized changes to their property documents.
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1086 builds on this by requiring DUF to conduct more proactive outreach.
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While access alert system is helpful, it's important that homeowners don't have to rely on it alone, for this important information, especially because of the digital divide.
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Intro 899 creates a role for the city council to assist with outreach, for long term homeowners in their district.
Alexander Knipenberg
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Great testimony.
Lacey Tauber
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All of us.
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Inspired.
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Alright.
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And I just I will just add he also supports 783 and reso 327, and thank you again for, your quick attention to these important proposals.