Research shows that homeowners in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods often face higher property tax assessments compared to their white counterparts, creating significant financial strain.

The current property tax system is criticized for unfairly penalizing lower-income homeowners, prompting calls for federal funding to reduce reliance on property taxes.

Bonita Anderson, who bought her Baltimore home in 2009 for $100,000, lost it to a tax sale in 2022 for $69,500 after falling behind on property taxes due to medical expenses from her cancer treatment.

Despite making payments totaling $18,900 to redeem her home, Anderson's funds were misapplied to the new owner's taxes, resulting in further foreclosure actions against her.

Anderson reflects on the emotional toll of losing her home, lamenting the loss of generational wealth and the impact it has had on her family's future.

The article emphasizes the broader implications of disproportionate property taxes on homeowners, particularly in majority-nonwhite neighborhoods, as illustrated by Anderson's experience.

Anderson's home, originally purchased for $100,000, was listed for nearly $540,000 in 2023, following drastic increases in property taxes.

An analysis revealed that from 2019 to 2023, nearly 44,000 properties in Baltimore went to tax sales, with 92% located in majority-nonwhite neighborhoods, underscoring systemic inequalities in property tax assessments.

Experts, including Lawrence Levy, argue that flawed property tax systems disproportionately impact poorer homeowners, especially in gentrifying urban areas and poorer suburbs.

Following a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that local governments cannot profit from tax sales, some states have revised their laws, yet the issue of disproportionate tax burdens persists.

The story of Gloria Gaynor, a 91-year-old woman from Pennsylvania who lost her home due to unpaid taxes during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlights the vulnerability of many homeowners facing similar challenges.

While some cities have protections to prevent homeowners from losing their properties to tax sales, these measures are not consistently applied, leading to varied outcomes across jurisdictions.