BROWARD COUNTY, FL - Low income, senior homeowners could get a property tax break under a proposal under consideration by Broward Commissioners. 

The plan would provide up to an additional $25,000 homestead exemption for homeowners sixty-five years of age or older with a household income $28,482 a year or less.  The proposed increase boosts the maximum senior low income homestead exemption from $25,000 to $50,000.

Broward Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness brought the item to the Commission. "Many of our seniors have low income.  They have worked hard.  They've helped to build our community, our nation, and they deserve to stay in their homes for as long as they can," said Holness. "It's not a whole lot of money, but for those people who will get this benefit, it's going to be meaningful.  It will benefit them tremendously."

"I am going to support this because I do think it is a very targeted. By and large, many people are living only on their social security these days. This is targeted toward them.  I think this is worth it," said Commissioner Beam Furr.  

Approximately 10,000 property owners would save amounts ranging from less than $1 to $143.  If the additional $25,000 low income senior exemption is passed, the County-wide budget would see an annual loss of approximately $1.1 million.

"While $1.1 million doesn't sound like a significant amount in terms of the overall budget, we have lots of other things to consider. I support this, but would like to see it through the budget process," said Vice Mayor Barbara Sharief.

Commissioners set a public hearing for August 16^th (or earlier, if an additional meeting date is scheduled on June 28th) at 2PM at the Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave. in Room 422.