In re Petition of Alger, Iron County Treasurers for Foreclosure
Fighting home equity theft in Michigan’s unlawful claims process
Lillian Joseph, a 79-year-old on a fixed income, fell behind on the 2018 property taxes on her house in Iron County, Michigan. In 2021, the County foreclosed over the $2,257 tax debt and sold the house for $27,500. The County kept every penny of the sale, seizing the family's entire equity in the home. A similar situation played out in Alger C ...
In re Petition of Manistee County Treasurer for Foreclosure
Fighting home equity theft in Michigan’s unlawful claims process
Chelsea Koetter is a single mom who enjoyed raising her two boys in their two-bedroom home in Bear Lake, Manistee County, Michigan. And she owned the home free and clear of any mortgages or other liens. She fell behind on her 2018 property taxes, but with her family's help, Chelsea paid nearly all of what she owed, including her 2019 and 2020 ...
Matthew Schafer, et al. v. Kent County, MI
Holding Michigan counties accountable to stop home equity theft
Matt Schafer found a purpose with the Michigan National Guard and a livelihood as a long-haul trucker, and in 2009, he found the perfect home. He had just returned from the first of three overseas deployments for the National Guard and felt a growing need to balance life on the road. The 1950s-era home in West Michigan's Kent County was mostly c ...
DiPietro v. Town of Bolton, Massachusetts
Struggling alpaca farmer fights government-sanctioned home equity theft
Alan DiPietro has been raising alpacas and selling their fleece since 2008 in Bolton, Massachusetts, a small, pleasant town in the state's Nashoba Valley Region. By 2014, Alan's alpacas needed more land, so he bought 34 acres that spanned Bolton and the adjacent Town of Stow. The property was undeveloped, so the 50-year-old former engineer mow ...
Fair v. Continental Resources
Nebraska widower fights government-sanctioned home equity theft
The outside world came to a screeching halt for Kevin Fair in 2013. His wife, Terry, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and Kevin had to quit his job so he could care for her at their Scottsbluff, Nebraska, home where they'd lived for nearly two decades—the home was a wedding gift from Kevin's mother. Kevin has since lost his wife and his ...
Foss v. City of New Bedford, et al.
State’s tax takings law enriches private company with senior citizen’s home and life savings
March 31, 2022 Update: Deborah has been living out of her car. Her family and friends have launched a GoFundMe to help her secure housing. If you'd like to donate directly to Deborah, visit her GoFundMe page. Life has not been easy for Deborah Foss in recent years. The 66-year-old grandmother lives in Massachusetts on a small, fixed income from So ...
Hall v. Meisner
Michigan families fight to close state’s home equity theft loophole
When Tawanda and Prentiss Hall fell behind on their property taxes, they did what many financially strapped homeowners do: set up a payment plan with the local government. They didn't want to lose the Southfield, Michigan home where they lived with their children. The Oakland County treasurer ended the plan, however, with the tax debt standing a ...
Johnson v. City of East Orange
New Jersey family fights government-sanctioned property theft
Self-sufficiency and independence have always been a way of life for Lynette Johnson. She was born and raised in Guyana, where her parents produced rice and pigs for sale in local markets, along with fried fish, breads, cakes, and ginger beer (with crushed ice). When she was older, Lynette established a livelihood of her own, buying goods from diff ...
Tyler v. Hennepin County
Victory! Supreme Court declares home equity theft unconstitutional
CASE RESOURCES Photo Library of Home Equity Theft Plaintiffs Frequently Asked Questions Amicus Briefs Report: End Home Equity Theft Watch: What's at Stake in Tyler v. Hennepin County Watch: Where Hailey Lives - Home Equity Theft Documentary Watch: Stealing Homes Pacific Legal Foundation's track record at the Supreme Court ...