By Forum Staff
The City Department of Finance on Wednesday announced a series of upcoming outreach events designed to support and inform owners who receive notice that they are at risk of having liens sold on their properties.
These events, held in partnership with multiple City agencies, the City Council, and nonprofit organizations, will provide owners with information, resources, and customized assistance for navigating financial challenges and resolving outstanding property taxes, water and sewer fees, and other property-related charges.
The outreach efforts include evening hours (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) at Department of Finance business centers and partnering with City and State elected officials to host events in their districts. At these events, homeowners can receive assistance and guidance from the Department of Finance, Department of Environmental Protection, and the Center for New York City Neighborhoods and its network partners.
Borough outreach sessions are scheduled for March 5 and April 16 at the Queens Business Center, located at 144-06 94th Ave. in Jamaica.
As part of this initiative, the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit will share information with potentially impacted homeowners through in-person and phone outreach campaigns. PEU’s specialists will provide direct, one-on-one assistance to help homeowners understand their options, enroll in property tax exemption programs, and access other resources that may help them avoid a lien sale. Through these outreach efforts, PEU will work to ensure that eligible New Yorkers—especially seniors and homeowners with disabilities—receive the guidance they need to protect their homes and maintain long-term stability. If you are a New Yorker with a disability or are over age 65, call the PEU team at 929-252-7242 for personalized assistance that could save your home.
Last year, the Adams administration and City Council passed reforms to the City’s property tax enforcement system with the Home Preservation and Debt Resolution Reform Act. These changes introduced measures such as the new Easy Exit Program, which offers more time for homeowners to address their debts, along with affordable payment plans and stronger protections for tenants.
“Rising costs aren’t just affecting New York City’s renters—low-income homeowners are under immense pressure right now, and no New Yorker should lose their home and be displaced because of unpaid property taxes. The City and City Council are taking important steps to protect homeowners from the tax lien sale, including expanded options for resolving debt and enhanced outreach efforts to make sure every New Yorker at risk has the critical opportunity to protect their homes from foreclosure,” said Christie Peale, CEO and executive director of the Center for NYC Neighborhoods. “The Center and its citywide network of partner organizations are committed to working with DOF, DEP, HPD, elected officials, and community leaders to ensure that every homeowner has access to free resources and personalized assistance to keep families in the communities that they have invested in for years.”
DOF officials encouraged homeowners to visit nyc.gov/liensale to find more events and to learn more about the options that are available to resolve debt.
