Durham County, Department of Social Services (DSS) Low Income Homeowner’s Relief Program

About the Program

Category: County Administration and Management (Best in Category)

Year: 2022

Durham County Department of Social Services (DSS) saw the need to create an assistance program for low-income homeowners after the County tax re-appraisals raised the average tax value on homes by more than 25% in 2019. Property values are predicted to increase as over the next 25 years, the county’s population doubles, growing to 450,000 according to the Durham-Chapel Hill- Carrboro 2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan1. With current home vacancy rates being close to zero, the rate of new construction cannot keep up with demand--Durham County’s median home sale prices jumped more than 33.3% since December 2020.2 Durham County DSS worked with Durham-City to create the Low-Income Homeowner’s Relief Program to help stabilize housing for vulnerable citizens by protecting low-income Durham residents living in neighborhoods experiencing significant property spikes. DCo DSS, the County’s IS&T, and Tax departments created a LIHR online application form enabling applicants to upload three or more supporting documents. The maximum amount provided for eligible homeowners was 50% of the total tax bill or $750, whichever was smaller. Then homeowner’s tax payments were made directly to the DCo Tax Office. The program ran from October 6, 2021- January 31, 2022, approving 204 of 340 applications received.