Despite extraordinary efforts to help hard-pressed homeowners, the city sold $66.9 million worth of liens last month on properties with past-due taxes and water charges — a 17 percent increase over last year, according to Finance Department figures.
“This reflects the economy,” said one official.
Owners of 20,348 properties forked over $94.4 million or entered into long-term payment agreements before May 1, the cutoff date set by the city for selling liens on their buildings.
That was slightly higher than the $92.5 million that came in last year from 21,135 owners.
But more liens — giving third parties the right to collect past-due debt — were auctioned, 3,763 versus 3,478 in 2008. The sale netted $66.9 million, compared to $57.2 million in 2008.
Officials said they took unprecedented steps to help at-risk owners.
Between January and May, 36,000 were signed up for tax exemptions available to seniors and the disabled as well as for the state’s STAR rebate program. The city also sent out exemption questionnaires, which turned up another 240 owners who didn’t realize they could apply for waivers.
Officials also analyzed tax data to remove 212 owners who qualified under regulations that exempt those making under $18,000 or less who own a home worth $85,000 or less.