Photos: The Office of Council Member Williams
Queens, NY — Council Member Nantasha Williams, in collaboration with NY Communities for Change, NYS Senator Leroy Comrie, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, and the Southeast Queens delegation of elected officials, hosted a virtual Property Tax Reform Town Hall on April 23rd, which featured a panel discussion with elected leaders, advocates, and experts. The event aimed to discuss and address the inequities within the NYC property tax code, shedding light on why it exists, who benefits from the current situation, and what steps can be taken to bring relief to middle-class homeowners.
Property tax inequities disproportionately burden middle-class homeowners, exacerbating financial strain and widening economic disparities. These inequities often result in homeowners paying disproportionately higher taxes compared to their wealthier counterparts, further exacerbating housing affordability challenges. Addressing property tax inequities is crucial for promoting economic fairness and ensuring that homeowners across all income levels can thrive.
The collaboration of elected officials, policy experts and NY Communities for Change reflects a shared commitment to addressing systemic inequities and advocating for policies that prioritize the needs of working families and homeowners. The event was prompted following the recent decision by the state’s highest court in March 2024 to reinstate a lawsuit by a coalition called Tax Equity Now New York that sought to have the New York City property tax system declared illegal. The appeals court did not decide the issue in its ruling but instead returned the case to the state’s lowest court. However, the court’s 60-page decision gives instructions to the lower court to rule in such a way it is likely to uphold the plaintiff’s complaints that taxing homeowners less than rental buildings violates the state’s real property tax law, and by capping assessments in neighborhoods with rising property values, the city over-taxes minority communities in violation of the federal fair housing law.
“The Property Tax Reform Town Hall underscores our commitment to advocating for fair and equitable policies that benefit all members of our community,”states Council Member Nantasha Williams, regarding the importance of the event.“By bringing together elected leaders, advocates, and experts, we aim to amplify the voices of middle-class homeowners and drive meaningful change.”
The Property Tax Reform Town Hall provided a platform for meaningful dialogue and actionable solutions to address the disparities in property taxation. Panelists engaged in a candid discussion, sharing insights and perspectives on the complexities of the current system and proposing strategies for reform.
“Low income black and brown homeowners shouldn’t pay more property taxes than their white upper middle class counterparts. For decades, New York City has had a tax system that is both illogical and inequitable. It must end. We need an efficient and equitable tax system that treats homeowners of color fairly and helps our families stay in our communities for generations to come.” said DeSean Burrus, Organizer for NY Communities for Change.
The panel discussion featured insightful contributions from various panelists including Council Member Williams, State Senator Leroy Comrie, Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman, NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, NY Communities for Change, and Mutual Housing Association of New York (MHANY).
“Paying taxes is a responsibility that we are all willing to share, but it is currently not fair and affordable for many of my neighbors in Southeast Queens. I want to thank Council Member Nantasha Williams for organizing this important discussion on property taxes. I look forward to all of us learning more and taking collective action to reform this system,” said Harold Miller, homeowner and moderator of the Town Hall.
“I look forward to working with my colleagues to tackle existing inequities in the tax code that have unfairly burdened homeowners in Eastern Queens,” said Senator Leroy Comrie. “Together, we have listened to advocates, experts, and our constituents as we endeavor to get to the root of what reforms would help make for a fairer property tax system on both a city and state level. I thank everyone who came out to participate and commend Council Member Williams for convening this forum.”
“There is a need for a comprehensive approach to tackling rising property taxes on homeowners, recognizing that these issues disproportionately affect middle-class homeowners,” states Assemblywoman Alicia L. Hyndman, “we are calling for collaborative effort between government officials, community organizations, and residents to find solutions that will provide much-needed relief. This insightful panel discussion convened to discuss this pressing issue and offered valuable insights, underscoring the need for collaborative solutions to alleviate the burden on residents.”
“New York City’s current property tax system puts undue burden on homeowners in Southeast Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island while under-taxing my home in brownstone Brooklyn,”said NYC Comptroller Brad Lander.“Especially in the wake of a subpar state housing deal, this Property Tax Reform Town Hall aims to maintain the momentum needed to address New Yorkers’ number one concern: fair and affordable housing.”
“Real estate taxes are in fact disproportionate throughout the city and state; often resulting in mortgage default and ending in foreclosure and displacement. The City and State do have exemptions that address seniors exemption, disability and veterans, the working middle cases have been excluded. We need now more than ever a tax reform that will stabilize inequities.” said Ismene Speliotis, Executive Director of Mutual Housing Association of New York.
Residents interested in getting involved in the fight to reform the property tax system should reach out to DeSean Burrus, Queens Organizer for NY Communities for Change, to get involved in advocacy around this issue at [email protected].
