Protecting Homes, Preserving Communities
Brooklyn family homes carry generations of history, and Brooklyn Borough President candidate Khari Edwards is calling on Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams to cancel the city’s upcoming 2025 tax lien sale. Surrounded by community leaders and local residents, Edwards stood in front of his late mother’s home to make an emotional and urgent plea.
“If my mother were alive today, she would’ve been on the lien sale list,” Edwards said, referring to Elenora Bernard, who passed away in 2022. “That’s how close to home this hits. It’s not just policy—it’s personal.”
A Broken Process Hurting the Most Vulnerable
Edwards condemned the tax lien sale as a system that punishes struggling homeowners instead of helping them. “For most New Yorkers, the tax lien sale is a little-known process. But for far too many homeowners, many of whom should never have been on the list in the first place, it carries devastating consequences,” he said. “Until there’s real reform, this sale should not move forward.”
The NYC Department of Finance recently released the 90-day lien sale list, flagging thousands of properties—including over 3,400 Brooklyn one- and two-family homes—for unpaid taxes and sewer bills. If debts remain unresolved, they’re sold to private debt collectors known for aggressive and sometimes predatory practices, often leading to foreclosure.
This marks the city’s first lien sale since 2021, following a pandemic-era pause under former leaders.
Disproportionate Impact on Communities of Color
Legal advocates warn that the lien sale continues to disproportionately impact Black and brown homeowners in lower-income neighborhoods.
“One in eight homeowners is at risk of foreclosure,” said attorney Afia Sengupta. “The lien sale is exacerbating this issue and threatening generational equity for thousands of Brooklyn families. I think it is important that the Governor and Mayor hear Khari’s call and follow this precedent by cancelling the upcoming lien sale.”
Awareness Gap Leaves Many Unprotected
A key issue, Edwards says, is the lack of transparency and communication from city agencies. Many homeowners aren’t even aware they’re on the lien list or that they may be eligible for exemptions.
“There are resources available to help homeowners who should not be wrapped up in this process, but that information is not being communicated to the public,” Edwards explained. “We have time before the lien sale, so I’m going to be knocking on doors and helping folks avoid the lien sale. I’m urging BP Reynoso to join me in raising the volume on this issue and contacting his constituents who might be at-risk as well.”
Seniors and Veterans Left Behind by the System
City and state programs like the Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption, Veterans Exemption, and Disabled Homeowners Exemption should provide a safety net—but only for those who know to apply. Edwards stressed that the burden shouldn’t fall on the most vulnerable.
“Many homeowners are unaware that this is happening or that they owe any debt to the city,” he said. “Seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners often don’t realize they are supposed to be protected from this entirely.”
A Path Forward: From Protest to Policy
To solve the problem long-term, Edwards’ campaign has introduced a set of reforms, including automatic enrollment for qualified exemptions and stronger protections for low-income, unemployed, and underemployed New Yorkers.
In the meantime, his team has already started canvassing neighborhoods on the lien list, arming residents with the knowledge and tools they need to save their homes.
“This isn’t just about one house or one family,” Edwards said. “It’s about preserving Brooklyn’s soul. We can’t allow bureaucratic failure to cost people their homes and their history.”
Leave a Reply