[Adopted 6-5-2001 by Res. No. 309-2001]
Under the current procedural step presently
incorporated in the County of Rockland when foreclosure is conducted
a personal visit is made to all taxpayers who live in residences slated
for auction at least 60 days prior to the scheduling of auction date.
During said visits the Rockland County personnel shall take steps
to determine whether or not the occupant and/or owner of the property
is a resident homeowner. For purpose of this procedure, a senior citizen
shall be determined to be any resident over the age of 62.
When it is determined that a parcel scheduled
for tax foreclosure by the County of Rockland is occupied or owned
by a resident homeowner as defined herein, then additional steps shall
be taken to verify that the senior citizen has been advised of his/her
opportunity and advised of the need to consult with an attorney and/or
credit counselor for purposes of being advised as to how they may
avoid the loss of their home and/or minimize the financial and personal
impact of the foreclosure to save their belongings and possibly save
all or part of their equity in the parcel.
If a resident homeowner is determined not to
be able to afford the cost of such an attorney and/or credit counselor,
a public attorney shall be provided for them at the expense of the
County of Rockland sufficiently in advance of the tax foreclosure
date.
As to all parcels that are scheduled for tax
foreclosure and are occupied by individuals that appear to be resident
homeowners, the employee of the County conducting the mandated personal
visit under the existing County procedures shall deliver to the occupant
notice of this law and the right of counseling described herein.
As to all residents or homes that are scheduled
for tax foreclosure, the County shall make a referral to Adult Protective
Services (who services all parties from age 18 and up), and Adult
Protective Services shall file a report with the County Executive,
the Commissioner of Finance and the Legislature as to whether the
homeowner, based upon their interview of the said person, is fully
aware of the consequences of the foreclosure notice they have received
and that they have advised said owner of their right to counsel to
advise them on how to protect their property and/or minimize their
economic loss if the property must be sold.
The cost of this additional procedure shall
be incorporated into the costs of redemption of tax delinquent parcels.
