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New York City Council
Temporary Task Force on Tax Liens
Apr 30, 2025
·
10:00 AM
34 min
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Summary
A hearing of the temporary task force on tax liens, focusing on reforms to NYC's enforcement of delinquent property taxes and water bills following the passage of Local Law 82 of 2024.
Discussions centered on:
- Improving transparency, reporting, and resolution processes for properties stuck in the 1998-2002 trust
- Addressing concerns about the negative impacts of tax lien sales on vulnerable homeowners, particularly in minority communities
- Exploring alternatives to the current trust model
Recommendations included improving accessibility of tax exemption programs, providing more support for struggling homeowners, and addressing challenges faced by small property owners in maintaining affordable housing units.
Features testimony from the public.
Meeting chapters
Read summaries and watch videos for short segments that matter to you.
Introduction to the temporary task force on tax liens hearing
Council Member Sandy Nurse introduces herself as the co-chair of the temporary task force on tax liens, alongside Deputy Commissioner Annette Hill from the Department of Finance. This sets the …
0:00:24
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10 sec
Reforms introduced by Local Law 82 of 2024
Council Member Nurse outlines the extensive reforms made through Local Law 82 of 2024, which improved the city's approach to enforcing delinquent property taxes and water bills. These reforms were …
0:00:35
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49 sec
Purpose and objectives of the temporary task force on tax liens
Council Member Nurse explains the purpose of the temporary task force on tax liens, established by Local Law 82. The task force aims to review the current trust model for …
0:01:24
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98 sec
Preliminary recommendations of the tax lien task force
Council Member Nurse presents some of the preliminary recommendations developed by the task force to improve the tax lien process and outcomes for delinquent properties. - Recommendations focus on identifying …
0:03:03
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34 sec
Acknowledgment of task force members and support staff
Council Member Nurse takes a moment to thank and acknowledge the members of the task force and support staff who have contributed to its work. - Special thanks are given …
0:03:38
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42 sec
Hearing procedures and instructions for public testimony
Council Member Nurse provides an overview of the task force's work to date and outlines the procedures for the public hearing and testimony. - The task force has met eight …
0:04:21
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126 sec
Testimony by Albert Scott, Chairman of East New York Homeowners Association, on Tax Lien Sales
Albert Scott, a lifelong East New York resident and chairman of the East New York Homeowners Association, testified about the negative impacts of the tax lien sale system on his …
0:07:34
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4 min
Testimony by Rachel Geballe, Deputy Director of the Neighborhood Economic Justice Project at Brooklyn Legal Services
Rachel Geballe from Brooklyn Legal Services testified about issues with the NYC tax lien sale process, focusing on three main areas: difficulties in resolving water lien debts with DEP, problems …
0:15:27
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6 min
Testimony by Jeanne Schoenfelder, Staff Attorney in the Foreclosure Prevention and Home Equity Preservation Project at Legal Aid Society
Jeanne Schoenfelder from the Legal Aid Society testified on the impact of tax lien sales on homeowners and communities, arguing for reforms to protect vulnerable property owners. She emphasized the …
0:22:22
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3 min
Discussion on public disclosure of tax lien sale information and its impact on homeowners
Alec Schierenbeck and Jeanne Schoenfelder discuss the balance between public transparency and the risk of targeting vulnerable homeowners when posting tax lien sale information. Jeanne explains how publicly available lists …
0:26:11
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121 sec
Sandy Nurse mentions an additional question
Council Member Sandy Nurse briefly interjects to mention that there was one other question to be addressed. - This remark suggests that the discussion may continue with another question, although …
0:28:13
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2 sec
Q&A on concerns about investor-owned Class 1 properties
Joshua Goldstein inquires about concerns regarding investor-owned Class 1 properties in the tax lien sale process. Jeanne Schoenfelder clarifies that her organization's focus is primarily on owner-occupied homes. - Goldstein …
0:28:15
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31 sec
Testimony by Ann Korchak, Board President of Small Property Owners of New York, on the Impact of Tax Lien Sales on Small Property Owners
Ann Korchak, representing Small Property Owners of New York (SPANY), testifies about the negative impacts of the city's tax lien sale program on small rental property owners. She argues that …
0:28:56
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3 min