Nationwide — Filmore Brown, an African American man from Brooklyn, New York, lost his fully paid home after it was sold at auction over a $5,000 unpaid water bill he says he never knew about. The foreclosure has left him fighting to reclaim the house he worked decades to secure.
Brown purchased his 3-unit home in 1996 and finished paying the mortgage in 2019. He lives on the top floor and rents the lower two units to other families.
“It’s my only dream,” he told ABC 7 NY.
He thought his dream was secure until strangers tried to enter his home one night. To his shock, they had legal papers claiming ownership.
City records show Brown’s unpaid water bill was sold to a trust, a group of investors who buy debts from the city. Once transferred, interest adds up until the balance is cleared. If not paid, the property can be foreclosed and sold at auction, which is what happened to Brown.
Officials said they mailed several notices, but Brown maintains he never received them. Court documents reveal foreclosure papers were served in November 2020, during the height of the pandemic. Brown says he never saw them. “I didn’t know, I just would’ve paid it,” he said.
His attorneys argue that Brown has consistently paid thousands in recent taxes and water bills. They claim the old balance went unnoticed because once the debt was sold to investors, it no longer appeared on his current bills. His legal team is now contesting the foreclosure.
Losing the home has taken a toll on Brown. “It was stolen from me,” he said, describing sleepless nights and constant stress
New York City’s Department of Finance said reforms were introduced last year to prevent similar cases. Officials said homeowners now receive more time, clearer information, and options to settle debts before liens are sold.
City records show more than 6,800 homeowners have properties placed into the trust for unpaid water bills, with many living in communities of color.
Great Job Nina Deleon & the Team @ BlackNews.com Source link for sharing this story.
