Councilor Edwards Co-Sponsors Ordinance to Assist Elderly Homeowners

Councilor Edwards cosponsors ordinance to assist elderly homeowners with overdue tax payments

by Phil Orlandella

District One (North End) Boston City Councilor Lydia Edwards and Councilor Ed Flynn have co-sponsored an ordinance, which will provide assistance to older Boston homeowners who are behind on their tax payments.

Passed by the Boston city Council, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh has apparently signed the measure that will opt into Massachusetts General Law which gives municipalities the ability to offer payment agreements to older homeowners with low income, struggling to repay their overdue taxes.

“As a city, it’s critical we take every step possible to keep our elders housed and to support Bostonians in building and retaining wealth over generations,” Councilor Edwards said.

“This ordinance is a win-win, help and economically vulnerable taxpayers keep their homes while meeting tax obligations to the city,” she added.

Mayor Walsh praise the ordinance saying, “In Boston we are committed to taking care of everyone who wants to live in our City, including older residents who help make Boston the world-class city it is today.”

The measure will allow payment agreements of up to five years – forgive 50% of the accrued interest will be granted to eligible low-income seniors that meet the requirements for the residential and senior exemptions.

The legislation also improves the assess ability of tax related documents by providing residents with details about how to access the property tax information in multiple languages.

This will be coordinated as part of the City of Boston’s Office of Languages and Communication Access citywide implementation plan.