Company Pays off Liens on Habitat Home

By Frank Juliano Published 6:39 am, Monday, April 18, 2016

BRIDGEPORT — Back taxes and interest totaling $27,000 had kept a duplex unit Habitat for Humanity hoped to restore from being home to a new family.

But the financial services company that held the lien on the property tax bill recently paid the outstanding tab, officials said Monday. Propel Financial Services Inc. of San Antonio, which buys municipal tax liens from municipalities, paid off the $12,500 in back taxes owed to Bridgeport and the interest, penalties and late fees that more than doubled the bill.

With the title cleared, Habitat for Humanity volunteers can now begin rebuilding the duplex, making it ready for new owner-occupants, said Stuart Adelberg, executive director of Habitat’s Coastal Fairfield County unit.

“That was a huge help to us because we can’t sell a home that has a lien on it,”

Adelberg said. “Thanks to Propel, we’re now free to find a deserving family to work with us to rebuild and buy the home, which is at the core of Habitat’s mission - helping people with limited financial resources afford a decent place to live.”

Adelberg said the home needs work to be ready for sale. The address of the property was not provided. The executive director said he hopes Propel’s donation will inspire other businesses in the area to help with the improvements the home needs.

“We’re glad we could help Habitat for Humanity take the first step in getting this house ready for a family that needs a home,” said Propel official Dale Kocher. “Habitat for Humanity does so much to provide clean, secure housing to low-income families and we are honored to support their community redevelopment efforts.”