Detroit homeowners facing delinquent property taxes have a new opportunity to obtain relief. On Thursday, Aug. 20, Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree announced that the county’s Pay As You Stay (PAYS) program has been renewed after a lapse since June 2025.
How the program works
PAYS offers two options: a 10% reduction of the total tax bill or a three‑year, interest‑free payment plan. The program is designed to keep families in their homes and prevent county foreclosures, which can occur after three years of unpaid taxes.
Since its inception in 2020, PAYS has assisted nearly 18,000 Detroit property owners. The program’s success, according to Sabree, “has been successful throughout the county and we need it to continue.”
Path to qualification
Homeowners must first apply for Detroit’s Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE), which reduces or eliminates current‑year taxes based on income. Qualifying for HOPE is the gateway to PAYS. After PAYS reduces the back taxes, a separate effort funded by the Gilbert Family Foundation can wipe out any remaining balance.
The Gilbert Family Foundation’s Detroit Tax Relief Fund, administered by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, has already helped 13,000 homeowners eliminate more than $52 million in tax debt.
Why the relief matters
A Detroit News investigation found that the city overtaxed homeowners by at least $600 million between 2010 and 2016, with 92% of the 173,000 homes reviewed being over‑assessed by an average of $3,800. Those inflated bills contributed to a rise in tax foreclosures.
Mayor Mary Sheffield emphasized the human impact, stating, “We do not want anyone in this city to lose their home or property to foreclosure.”
Next steps for residents
Eligible residents should submit a HOPE application as soon as possible. The county has set a November deadline, after which qualified homeowners will automatically be entered into the PAYS program. No separate applications are required for the Gilbert Family Foundation’s relief fund.
Willie Donwell, director of Detroit’s property assessment board of review, noted that the city assists over 13,000 people each year through these combined efforts.
For more information and to begin the application process, homeowners can visit the Wayne County Treasurer’s website or contact the Detroit Property Assessment Board of Review.
Original reporting: BridgeDetroit — read the source article.
