A Wayne County program designed to reduce delinquent property taxes and spare residents from foreclosure is back.
Detroit and Wayne County officials on Thursday, Aug. 20, encouraged financially struggling Detroiters to apply for a local property tax exemption ahead of a November deadline that could automatically qualify them for what's known as Pay As You Stay, or PAYS. That program had expired June 2025, according to Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree, but recent legislation that went into effect this July renewed it.
"PAYS has been successful throughout the county and we need it to continue," Sabree said.
Since 2020, the program — which reduces county taxes and offers a 10% reduction of the full payment or a three-year, interest free payment plan
— has helped nearly 18,000 Detroit property owners and families stay housed.
Three years of delinquent property taxes can lead to a county foreclosing on a property and selling it at an auction to recoup unpaid taxes, interest and penalties. Unpaid taxes can also rack up interest.
The city overtaxed homeowners by at least $600 million between 2010 and 2016, a Detroit News investigation found. More than 92% of the 173,000 Detroit homes reviewed were overtaxed by an average of $3,800. Over assessments lead to inflated property tax bills and tax foreclosures.
Officials on Thursday implored homeowners to get help through various programs.
"We do not want anyone in this city to lose their home or property to foreclosure," said Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield.
The first step to getting assistance is applying for what's known as Detroit's Homeowners Property Exemption (HOPE) program, which can eliminate or reduce current year property taxes for those who qualify based on their income. That's essentially the pathway to qualify for the county's PAYS program and then a separate Gilbert Family Foundation-funded tax relief effort that can bring tax debt down to zero. The second two programs don't require separate applications.
"On average, we assist over 13,000 people every year," said Willie Donwell, director of Detroit's property assessment board of review, who oversees HOPE.
The Gilbert Family Foundation's Detroit Tax Relief Fund, operated by the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, can wipe away the remaining balance after PAYS reduces the back taxes. That fund has helped 13,000 Detroit homeowners eliminate more than $52 million in property tax debt, said Darnell Adams, vice president at the Gilbert Family Foundation.
Here are the steps to follow to get property tax relief in Detroit
- Income-eligible homeowners must first apply to the HOPE tax exemption program. The deadline to enroll is 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 6, 2026. When homeowners apply for HOPE in 2026, they can also get help for 2025. For more information, go to www.detroitmi.gov/HOPE or call Wayne Metro at 866-313-2520. Homeowners can also go to a resource event at the Patton Recreation Center (2301 Woodmere), Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Homeowners who are eligible for HOPE may automatically qualify for a PAYS tax reduction. Wayne County determines the reductions and notifies taxpayers.
- The Gilbert Family Foundation's Detroit Tax Relief Fund can pay off the remaining balance after PAYS. Taxpayers do not need to fill out a separate application. For more information, go to www.waynemetro.org/propertytax/ or call Wayne Metro at 866-313-2520.
Reach reporter Nushrat Rahman at nrahman@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: PAYS program returns, helping Detroiters avoid tax foreclosure
