Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE)

If you cannot pay your taxes for financial reasons, you may be able to reduce or eliminate your current year’s property tax obligation with the Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE). Residents approved for (HOPE) are eligible for Pay as You Stay (PAYS), which reduces delinquent property taxes owed to the Wayne County Treasurer.

A City of Detroit income-based program helps Detroit homeowners with their current year’s property taxes.

To fill out the application online, please go to www.deiroitmi.gov/HOPE

If you would like an in-person appointment to fill out an application, please call 313-732-9302 ext.709 to set up a time to come in.

Appointments are being held on Tuesdays at Mack Avenue Community Church 3747 Harding St. Detroit, 48214 from 9am-3pm or Wednesday through Friday at The Commons Cafe & Laundromat located at 7900 Mack Ave. Detroit, MI 48214.

You will need ID, proof of income, your quick deed (original), or a copy of the original with your name.

Documents needed to apply for the City of Detroit Homeowners Property Tax Exemption, Michigan Homeowners Assistance Fund, and/or Utility Bill Resources

Please bring with you to your appointment:

● ID for all adults: State issued ID or Drivers License for all adults living in the

household or using the address of applicant

● Proof of occupancy of minors: 2021 filed IRS Income Taxes, school record

with child(s) name and address of applicant, DHS Benefit letter with minor

child(s) name

● Proof of Income: 2021 filed IRS Income Taxes, Social Security Benefit letter,

for all members of household

● Deed: the deed must be in the current owners name

For assistance with resources for utility assistance:

● Most recent utility bill with shut off notice

● Social Security card

● Proof of income in the last 30 days or benefit letter (will not accept bank

stastatement of payments

● Email address with password

Homeowners Property Tax Assistance Program (HPTAP)

The Homeowners Property Tax Assistance Program (HPTAP) now includes a 25-percent property-tax exemption for some qualifying homeowners to reduce foreclosures in the Motor City.

Under the new exemption, a family of two earning $25,703 or a family of four earning $31,930 would be eligible for a 25-percent reduction in their property taxes.

The 25-percent property-tax exemption will increase the number of Detroit residents eligible for financial support who otherwise wouldn’t qualify for previous HPTAP requirements.

The City of Detroit announced Homeowners Property Tax Assistance Program (HPTAP) application approvals would be made ongoing, eliminating the previous deadlines. The final 2020 deadline is December 14. If the HPTAP application is submitted and approved by the Detroit Board of Review by May 1, the exemption will appear on the City of Detroit’s 2020 Summer Tax Bill. If your application is approved after May 1, you will receive an adjustment tax bill from the City of Detroit.

The City is urging all residents in need of current year property tax relief to apply for the HPTAP.**

Pay As You Stay (PAYS)

What is PAYS?

“Pay As You Stay” is for HOPE-approved homeowners with unpaid delinquent taxes that reduce the burden of those taxes.

  1. For certain qualified residents, the balance due of unpaid delinquent taxes will be limited to back taxes only (interest, fees, and penalties removed) or 10% of a home’s taxable value – whichever is less. *The outstanding delinquent taxes must be greater than 10% of the taxable value of your home.

  2. The remaining balance could be paid back over a period of up to three years at zero percent interest and all interest, penalties and fees will be canceled at the completion of the Pay as You Stay Payment Agreement (PAYSPA).

  3. Homeowners who pay off the reduced balance within the first 90 days, will be eligible for an additional reduction in delinquent taxes.

  • City of Detroit Residents who are approved for PAYS are eligible to have their entire balances paid in full by the Detroit Tax Relief Fund.

How will I know if I am approved for PAYS?

Homeowners who have been approved for HOPE become eligible for PAYS and will receive an enrollment letter from the Wayne County Treasurer's Office. A purple PAYS button will also appear when conducting a property search on the Wayne County Treasurer's Website. 

**If you have delinquent taxes and do not qualify for HOPE or were denied, the Wayne County Treasurer's Office offers various plans to assist distressed taxpayers with paying delinquent taxes.