Many seniors now are being faced with increasing property taxes and their incomes have become fixed with no way of paying those increased costs on their homes. They are quickly becoming house rich and money poor. The COLAS are lagging behind because of runaway price increases and cannot keep up. Over the years the seniors have worked longer than any other group to pay for their homes while blazing a trail for those who are coming in behind them. This issue is a growing problem not only in our state but also across the nation.

We as seniors hope that you will be considerate in solving our problem with the NC Homestead Act. We know there are a number of bills on the table from both the Senate and House side. Out of all those bills we are hoping you will consider a straight tax exemption somewhere in the range of $35,000 to $40,000 and a circuit breaker with a criteria that says “seniors 65 and older or permanently disabled” as is written in the current homestead act that will add more seniors bringing the percentage of eligible seniors up more than ten per cent of the current senior population across the state.

After all, less than eight per cent of seniors in this state receive any assistance at all. The current senior population in this state number more than one million, one hundred ninety two thousand.

Most all of those seniors are still paying into the system averaging the age of seventy or better. We cannot see deferments as a means to solve the problems that seniors are facing.

Harvard Studies tell us that if we can provide ways and means to keep the seniors in their homes, the senior would incur less medical assistance and would not be subjected to abuses as much. We do hope you will consider their needs and give them the respect they deserve by providing them the assistance in maintaining their right to stay in their homes if they so choose.

It is important that Senior Democrats of   North Carolina and all of the county and chapters make every effort to remind Democrats, who hold public or who seek public office, that permanent resident senior over the age of 65 is the fastest growing segment of the North Carolina population and vote in greater numbers than any other age group.  While the state spends millions of dollars courting firms to relocate to North Carolina, retirees relocate without subsidy. The Seniors of North Carolina and county chapters in the interest of fair and equitable treatment of our permanent senior residents must continue to work for the passage of North Carolina Homestead Act.

Shirley Wiggins,

Special Legislative Committee Chair, 
North Carolina Senior Democrats.

Reva G. McNair,

President, North Carolina Senior Democrats
Homestead Act