Council committee backs relief for homeowners facing tax jump

Homeowners crushed by spiking tax bills in gentrified neighborhoods — but ineligible for the tax break created to help — may soon find relief.

Philadelphia's City Council Wednesday moved forward an amendment to make those who already received an abatement on their homes eligible for the city's Longtime Owner Occupants Program.

The tax break, known as LOOP, caps the tax increase for longtime homeowners whose property values skyrocketed in the citywide reassessment completed last year. Those who took part in the city's 10-year tax abatement are not currently eligible but would be under the amendment unanimously passed by the council's finance committee Wednesday.

Alexia Daniels, one of a dozen homeowners to speak in support of the amendment, said the taxes on her Graduate Hospital home have jumped from $700 to $4,200.

"The community has significantly changed," she said. "There's ... a park where my children are able to play during the day. But at night I am up unable to sleep trying to figure out how am I going to be able to pay these property taxes."

The amendment, proposed by Councilman Kenyatta Johnson, was approved over opposition from Mayor Nutter's administration. Clarena Tolson, revenue commissioner and chief collection officer for the city, said it would reduce funds for schools and other city services. She suggested the homeowners utilize program allowing them to defer paying the new taxes until they can sell their home and reap the benefit of the higher evaluation.

The option wasn't welcomed by many of the residents, who said they feel forced out of homes they didn't plan to leave.

"We didn't purchase them to sell them and make profits," said Alan Taylor, who lives in Graduate Hospital. "You expect to die in your house."

The committee Wednesday also moved forward an amendment to LOOP that makes eligible individuals who have paid the majority of utilities, taxes and repairs on a home for at least 10 years but who were not the owner on the deed that whole time.

The amendments are scheduled for a first hearing before the full City Council Thursday.

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