Housing and Community Development Department

Press Release

“Sign Up and Save” Workshops Help Homeowners Identify Property Tax Exemptions

February 14, 2017 -- As Houston’s affordability continues to take center stage in the media, Mayor Sylvester Turner is kicking off a series of free workshops aimed at preserving home affordability by helping homeowners identify and, if eligible, apply for property tax exemptions. The first of these workshops will take place on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center, 6719 West Montgomery Road, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Houston is one of the nation’s most affordable cities, yet there are still families at risk of losing their homes due to the rising cost of their property taxes. A homestead exemption could provide significant savings. In Harris County, for example, the homestead exemption reduces the value used for calculating property taxes by 20 percent. This means a $150,000 home would be taxed at a value of $120,000, saving the homeowner, on average, over $650/year.

“Data shows there are over 3,000 homeowners in Acres Homes alone who likely qualify for homestead exemptions, but don’t have them,” said Mayor Turners. “By helping homeowners stay in their homes, we are strengthening the communities they live in and ensuring Houston is affordable for all residents.”

The free workshops will be held in Acres Homes, Near Northside, and Second and Third Wards, communities identified in the tax rolls as having large numbers of homeowners who potentially qualify for homestead exemptions. Workshop participants will also learn about other possible tax exemptions such as those for persons older than 65 or disabled.

“The workshops will potentially benefit thousands of low- and moderate-income homeowners who are not taking advantage of the tax exemptions,” said Turner. “We want to help them sign up for these exemptions and save money on their taxes.”

The City of Houston’s Housing and Community Development Department will be working in collaboration with Harris County Appraisal District (HCAD) and community-based organizations to host the Sign Up and Save workshops. A complete schedule of workshops will be announced soon. For more information, contact HCAD at 713-957-7800.