The Wayne County Treasurer’s Office and the Gilbert Family Foundation have announced the launch of a program that will automatically enroll families who have received the City of Detroit’s Homeowner’s Property Exemption (HOPE), a program that eliminates delinquent property taxes, into Pay As You Stay (PAYS).

As part of a joint $500 million commitment with the Rocket Community Fund to revitalize neighborhoods in Detroit, the foundation invested $15 million to establish the Detroit Tax Relief Fund, which is focused on helping PAYS reduce the amount of delinquent taxes owed by lower-income taxpayers. Administered by Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, the Detroit Tax Relief Fund is designed to benefit approximately 3,000 Detroit homeowners who are eligible to receive HOPE and are unaware of PAYS or have not yet taken advantage of the program.

“Our goal at the Gilbert Family Foundation is to break down systemic barriers, like those that force Detroit residents to choose between paying their property taxes and providing for themselves and their families,” said Gilbert Family Foundation executive director Laura Grannemann. “This new program will allow residents to access the help they need, but may not know how to go about applying for.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Peeter Viisimaa)