Opinion: Elderly people shouldn’t become homeless because of property taxes

A invoice on the Utah Legislature would assist senior residents who're at risk of shedding their properties due to property taxes.

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Many older Utahns throughout the state bought their properties as younger adults and have constructed their lives round these properties. To this group, their residence is not only a spot to sleep and to remain out of the weather — it's a true household heirloom and a long-lasting illustration of their lives.

Right this moment, Utahns dwelling on fastened and low incomes are in jeopardy of being displaced from the house the place they raised their kids, created reminiscences and realized their life’s goals for many years.

On the coronary heart of this subject is a dramatic improve in property taxes in the course of the previous few years. Cities, equivalent to Ogden and Brigham Metropolis, noticed property tax will increase of 25% to 70% in 2019. On an much more excessive scale, small cities equivalent to Charleston and Joseph skilled will increase of as much as 130% in that very same 12 months. We at the moment are listening to from Utahns throughout the state who're involved about their means to maintain up with these rising tax payments.

Wayne, a Park Metropolis resident, has seen his property taxes skyrocket in the course of the previous 12 months. This excessive rise in property taxes has been deeply troubling. Such drastic rises in property taxes are inflicting giant monetary burdens to be positioned on older Utahns, like Wayne, who typically depend on a set revenue to pay their payments and keep their life-style.

Jerry and Francis, additionally Utahns, have skilled an analogous state of affairs. This couple has personally seen their property tax improve round 600%, whereas a few of their neighbors have additionally seen comparable will increase. With a month-to-month revenue that's fastened, Jerry and Francis have struggled to take care of their means to pay property taxes and, because of this, might be in jeopardy of shedding their residence.

Duane, an 81-year-old from Bountiful is anxious about how his property taxes are affecting his finances. Duane, who now lives on a set revenue, purchased his residence 51 years in the past for $25,000. Sadly, with dramatic will increase in property worth, he now should pay extra in property taxes every month than he does for his mortgage.

AARP’s 2021 Dwelling and Group Preferences survey discovered that greater than three-quarters of adults ages 50 and older wish to keep of their properties and communities as they age. Not surprisingly, these actual tales illustrate how will increase in property taxes can jeopardize this selection for older Utahns who shouldn't have the funds to maintain up with spiking taxes and could also be prone to shedding their properties

With a lot of the senior inhabitants counting on a set revenue from Social Safety, this feat turns into almost not possible with out them scaling again on different requirements like well being care, groceries or utilities. Even after scaling again, having the monetary means to maintain up with property taxes should not be doable. A senior selecting between what may probably be lifesaving well being care or staying of their residence shouldn't be a alternative they need to face.

In keeping with Statista/AARP evaluation of information out there by the U.S. Census Bureau, there have been 1,660 Utahns over the age of 65 experiencing homelessness in 2021. No one needs to see a grandparent or mother or father face homelessness or extreme monetary burdens. Our family members are speculated to be having fun with their days, spending time with household, and creating new reminiscences. They completely shouldn't be continuously consumed with nervousness over whether or not they can keep funds on their residence’s taxes.

There may be hope that this egregious state of affairs shall be remedied quickly. SB25, sponsored by Sen. Lincoln Fillmore, R-South Jordan, would create a property tax deferment program for older Utahns throughout the state.

The property tax deferment program would enable householders 75 years of age or older with an annual revenue beneath $65,000 to defer the cost of their property taxes till the house owner both decides to promote their residence or the possession of the property is transferred, at which level taxes shall be paid again with curiosity.

This program is well-designed to assist long-term residents keep of their properties and communities as they age. Furthermore, this system protects county income streams and funding for very important native providers and doesn't create long-term prices to different taxpayers. It's because the deferral offers focused reduction to these householders who want it most — lower- and middle-income older Utahns, and the tax will get paid again to the county with curiosity.

If Utah doesn't present property tax reduction to this inhabitants, older Utahns throughout our state will proceed to fret that their property tax invoice shall be bigger than what they'll afford, and so they may be compelled out of their properties and communities. This case should be averted. We urge policymakers to help SB25 and assist present a path for extra Utahns to maintain their roof over their heads.

Danny Harris is the advocacy director for AARP Utah. Ben Shelton is a fellow with the Libertas Institute.