Detroit's Pay As You Stay Program Faces Expiration, Threatening 13,000 Families with Foreclosure
The Pay As You Stay (PAYS) program in Detroit, which has been instrumental in preventing foreclosure for 13,000 families, is set to expire in June. This program was designed to assist homeowners who were behind on property taxes but qualified for an income-based exemption. By eliminating penalties, interest, and fees, PAYS significantly reduced the tax burden for these homeowners. The Gilbert Family Foundation and Rocket Community Fund further supported these families by paying off the remaining balances, effectively erasing $52 million in property tax debt from 2021 to 2025. However, with the program's expiration looming, there is concern over the potential resurgence of foreclosure risks for these families, particularly in a city where many senior homeowners are already financially burdened. 
