A homeowner in Brooklyn, New York, says his city “failed” him when his $800,000 house was sold over a $5,000 water bill that he says he didn’t know about.
ABC 7 NY reports that Filmore Brown said he would have paid the bill, “no problem,” if he had known about it. Instead, as is a routine practice, the city sent the unpaid bill to a group of investors within a trust.
The unpaid balance was then removed from the city payment platform, so Brown didn’t see it when he paid subsequent water bills. Since it didn’t receive payment, the trust foreclosed on his home and sold it in an auction.
The city and trust say that Brown was sent notices about the unpaid bill, but he said he didn't receive them. He lives on the top floor of his house and rents out the first floor apartments to two families.
Local lawmakers are now calling for an investigation into Brown's situation and creating new legislation that would prevent similar foreclosures in the future. New laws would implement more effective notifications about foreclosures and eliminate the risk of homeowners losing property over unpaid bills.
"It is a profound injustice," New York City Councilmember Chris Banks said, per ABC 7. "We will not rest until we get to the bottom of this and hold every culpable party accountable.”
During a rally in front of Brown’s home, news footage showed protesters holding up signs reading “Black and brown homeowners matter” and “Brooklyn is not for sale—or theft.”
