They built a home in Mint Hill. Tax break helps him ‘find comfort’ there after wife’s death
Bob Laughlin can’t see himself anywhere else.
Laughlin, who’s semi-retired after a career in accounting for National Gypsum, lives in Mint Hill. He lives on a fixed income. So, he’s particularly grateful for a $340 discount in property taxes for 2022.
The discount will help keep him in the home he built with his wife, Gladys, years ago, he said. She designed it.
“She’s got her presence all through the house,” Laughlin said. “I lost her to breast cancer some years ago. I liked the house because it’s got her presence all through it and I feel and I find comfort.”
The brown and white Tudor-style home set between trees was built in 1988. And he says the house style, tower-like design and original color all came from her.
Just as businesses receive tax breaks to move to or expand, the Mecklenburg County HOMES program gives tax breaks to homeowners so they won’t have to move. And this year could be the program’s largest ever.
Money granted to homeowners is paid to the county’s tax office, which then reduces people’s bills by up to $660 for one year. This year, the application period started July 1 and will end Nov. 17.
How is Laughlin spending the extra money?
“I have money to fill my tank. It could be a lot of food from the grocery store,” Laughlin said. “I wasn’t expecting it really. It was a really nice surprise. It’s nice to know that there are people out there to think about homeowners like me who are not overly wealthy, and we struggle a bit and they realize the benefit of that could be given to those who struggle.”
The money he saved inspired him to write a thank you note in response to being accepted for the program.
This year, the program massively increased funding available to $13.84 million compared to last year’s $375,000. Of that total, $9.69 million is from Mecklenburg County government and an additional $4.15 million is from the city of Charlotte for residents in the city limits.
“The increased funding from the County and the new City partnership provides the chance for residents to be awarded a grant almost twice the amount from last year and considerably more homeowners can be helped,” said Mecklenburg County Director of the Department of Community Resources Yulonda Griffin.
In its first year, the HOMES Program provided 513 homeowners with grants totaling $135,861. In 2021, 726 homeowners benefited from the program, with $186,108 in grant funding being awarded. In 2022, 1,347 homeowners were approved for HOMES Program grants, with $358,037 being awarded.
How to apply for tax help
There’s no catch, and the money doesn’t have to be paid back. Griffin said the only goal is to help residents thrive.
“One effect of a robust real estate market is that affordable housing becomes scarce and the rising costs to retain residences can outpace income growth,” Griffin said.
The grant’s $660 potential is lower for people who don’t live in Charlotte. The program’s website says all Mecklenburg County residents can receive up to $426 off their taxes. But Charlotte residents can receive an additional $234.
To get help, residents’ household income must not exceed 80% of the area’s median income based on the number of people in the family.
Here’s how that breaks down based on the number of people within households:
▪ One - $55,850
▪ Two - $63,800
▪ Three - $71,800
▪ Four - $79,750
▪ Five - $86,150
▪ Six - $92,550
▪ Seven - $98,900
▪ Eight - $102,000
Other program rules
The grant recipient’s name(s) must be on the recorded deed or title. The property must be the owner’s residence at the time of application and for the past three years.
Applicants also can’t have more than one delinquent tax bill in the last three years. Applicants with taxes owed for more than three years do not qualify.
You also can’t apply for the HOMES program if you already receive another type of property tax deferment.
This story was originally published July 31, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
