GOSHEN – Orange County became the second county in the state, after Ulster County, to adopt a local law providing a 50% property tax exemption on the county’s portion of the tax bill for eligible low-income homeowners.
The homes would have to be sold by a government entity, nonprofit housing organization, land bank, or community land trust. The Legislature passed the resolution, introduced by Democrat Genesis Ramos, with a vote of 11-9 at Thursday’s full meeting.
Every Republican voted against the proposal, with one GOP member, John Revella, abstaining. Before the vote, County Attorney Rick Golden sent a memo to every legislator urging them to vote against the legislation until the state updates its real property law about the initiative.
“Orange County took an important step for affordable homeownership by adopting 457-a, a targeted property tax exemption that can reduce the county property tax burden for qualifying low-income families purchasing an eligible home,” Ramos said. “This is about making homeownership more affordable and giving working families a real opportunity to buy a home, build equity and put down roots in Orange County.”
The exemption was created through a state law to allow counties, municipalities and school districts to provide property tax relief for qualifying permanently affordable homes.
“We see every day how difficult it has become for working families to achieve that first step into homeownership,” said Jessica Miuccio, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newburgh. “When local government and community organizations come together to address those barriers, we can create real opportunities for families to build stability, equity, and a future in the communities they call home. We are grateful to Legislator Ramos for listening to the needs of working families and for helping turn that conversation into meaningful action.”
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