Berrien County Treasurer's office offers foreclosure assistance

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich.—The Berrien County Treasurer’s office is willing to meet with any property owners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure because of unpaid property taxes.

Those who owe 2016 and/or 2017 back taxes can set up a monthly payment plan to avoid losing their homes.

Last year over 400 hundred property owners avoided foreclosure through this program and it has a ninety-two percent success rate.

You can get help by visiting the Treasurer's St. Joseph office during normal business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The St. Joseph office is located at 701 Main Street.

You can also visit their Niles’ location on Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

Treasurer Bret Witkowski also has special times when you can meet him in Niles, Three Oaks, and Benton Harbor.

He will be at the Niles Public Library on East Main Street on January 26th at 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

He will be at the Three Oaks Public Library on North Elm Street on February 14th from 5 to 7 p.m.

He will also be at Benton Harbor City Hall on East Wall Street on March 2nd from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

If you have any questions Treasurer Witowski can be reached at 269-983-7111, Ext 8569.

If you fail to make payments on unpaid taxes or fail to set up a payment plan by April 1, 2019, then the Treasurer’s office will not be able to assist you in keeping your home.

Keep in mind you are required by law to pay your 2016 and any other unpaid taxes or have a payment plan set up to pay back taxes, or your property will be foreclosed on April 1, 2019