Rising property taxes have become a growing concern for many older Americans, especially those living on fixed incomes. In Ohio, lawmakers are now considering a proposal designed to ensure that seniors are not forced out of their homes because they cannot keep up with increasing tax bills.
House Bill 443 aims to prevent tax foreclosures on homeowners age 65 and older. Under the proposal, county officials would no longer be allowed to enforce property tax liens that result in foreclosure on homes owned by seniors, as long as the property is valued at $750,000 or less. The measure is intended to provide peace of mind for older residents who fear losing their homes due to rising property tax costs.
The bill was introduced by state representatives David Thomas and Adam Mathews. Thomas, a former county auditor who now helps lead property tax reform efforts in the state legislature, said the legislation would make clear what many counties already try to practice—protecting seniors from losing their homes over unpaid property taxes. According to Thomas, the goal is simple: to ensure that older Ohioans can remain in their homes without the fear of foreclosure hanging over them.
Supporters of the bill say it would make Ohio the first state in the nation to formally prohibit tax foreclosures on senior homeowners. However, the proposal would only apply to government tax liens. Private mortgage lenders would still be able to foreclose on homes if borrowers fail to meet their loan obligations.
Financially, the proposal could affect local governments that rely on property tax revenue to fund services such as schools, infrastructure, and emergency response. A review by the state’s Legislative Service Commission found that unpaid property taxes and penalties totaled about $872 million in 2024. The new policy would apply to roughly 27 percent of homeowners currently facing foreclosure, potentially affecting about $233 million in revenue. However, analysts note that only a portion of those delinquent taxes would likely end up in foreclosure, meaning the actual financial impact could be smaller.
The issue comes as foreclosure activity has been rising in the state. Ohio ranked 12th in the nation for foreclosure filings earlier this year, with more than 1,700 cases reported in January alone. Court records also show that foreclosure filings increased by 8 percent from 2024 to 2025.
For many seniors, policies like this could provide an important safeguard. After decades of paying off their homes and contributing to their communities, the hope is that older residents will be able to remain in the homes they worked so hard to keep. Read more here.
Seniors struggling to afford basic needs is a real problem. That’s why we support a bill we call the Elder Relief Act. This proposed legislation would make life much easier for those who have worked so hard for so long. Learn more here.