Brooklyn Homeowner Loses House Over Unpaid Water Bill Due to City Debt Sale

Homeowner's Shocking Loss

• 🏠 Filmore Brown, a Brooklyn homeowner, worked for over two decades to pay off his mortgage, only to discover his home was sold at auction without his knowledge.
• 💔 He describes the experience as "rough" and "tough," stating he cannot eat, drink, or sleep, and is unable to stay in his own home.

The Unpaid Water Bill

• 💧 Brown was unaware of an outstanding water bill for $5,000, which he claims he would have paid if he had known about it.
• ⚠️ The city sold this unpaid debt to a private investor (a trust), which then initiated foreclosure proceedings.

Systemic Flaws and Lack of Notification

• 📬 The city claims numerous notices were sent, but Mr. Brown states he did not receive them.
• 🏡 Court documents show an investor served papers for foreclosure in November 2020, during the pandemic, which Mr. Brown also claims he never received.
• 🔗 The two payment systems (current bills and old debts in trust) are not connected, meaning a homeowner could have a zero balance on current bills but still have a lien from a trust without knowing.

Broader Implications and Reforms

• 📈 Over 6,800 New Yorkers had their water liens placed in a trust this year for unpaid bills, with a majority of those affected living in minority neighborhoods.
• 🏛️ City council members are advocating for a public hearing to investigate the issue and pass new legislation to prevent similar situations.
• ✅ The city's finance department stated they implemented reforms last year to give property owners more time, information, and resources to resolve debts, aiming to prevent such unfortunate outcomes.

Hope for Recourse

• 🙏 Mr. Brown's attorney is seeking a judge's intervention to pause the case and explain the circumstances to the court.
• ✨ Despite the hardship, Mr. Brown expresses hope for regaining his home.