In the heart of Brooklyn, where brownstones and row houses have been passed down for generations, a battle is brewing over property rights—and the stakes are sky-high. Khari Edwards, candidate for Brooklyn Borough President, is leading a growing coalition of civic leaders, legal advocates, and longtime residents demanding that Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams cancel the 2025 tax lien sale in New York City.
Standing in front of his late mother’s East New York home, Edwards used the deeply personal setting to highlight what he says is a systemic threat to working-class homeowners across the city. Elenora Bernard, who was tragically killed in 2022, would have appeared on this year’s lien sale list had she still been alive.
Courtesy Khari Edwards 2025
A System That Preys on the Vulnerable
“For most New Yorkers, the tax lien sale is a little-known process. But for far too many homeowners, many of whom should never have been on the list in the first place, it carries devastating consequences,” said Edwards. “The tax lien sale needs to be completely overhauled to protect New Yorkers who may be on the financial brink, and until it is, the city and state must put a moratorium on any future sales.”
The New York City Department of Finance recently released the 90-day lien sale list, which includes properties with unpaid sewer and property tax debt. If left unpaid, this debt can be sold off to out-of-state private collectors for a fraction of its value. These companies are known to use aggressive, predatory tactics to collect on the debt, often pushing homeowners into foreclosure.
This year’s sale would be the first since 2021, following a pandemic-related pause under then-Governor Cuomo and former Mayor de Blasio. Now, over 3,400 Brooklyn one- and two-family homes are on the chopping block.
A Crisis of Communication and Equity
Legal experts say the lien sale disproportionately impacts communities of color and low-income homeowners.
“One in eight homeowners is at risk of foreclosure,” said Afia Sengupta, Esq. “The tax lien sale is exacerbating this issue and threatening generational equity for thousands of Brooklyn families. I think it is important that the Governor and Mayor hear Khari’s call and follow this precedent by cancelling the upcoming lien sale.”
Edwards says a major part of the problem is lack of awareness and poor communication from city agencies. Many homeowners don’t even know they’re on the lien list—or that they’re eligible for protections.
“There are resources available to help homeowners who should not be wrapped up in this process, but that information is not being communicated to the public,” Edwards explained. “We have time before the lien sale, so I’m going to be knocking on doors and helping folks avoid the lien sale. I’m urging BP Reynoso to join me in raising the volume on this issue and contacting his constituents who might be at-risk as well.”
Protecting Those Who Should Be Exempt
By law, homeowners who qualify for programs like the Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption, Veterans Homeowners Exemption, or the Disabled Homeowners Exemption should not be included in lien sales. However, these exemptions must be proactively applied for—and many eligible residents are unaware of the requirement.
“Many homeowners are unaware that this is happening or that they owe any debt to the city. Seniors, veterans, and disabled homeowners often don’t realize they are supposed to be protected from this entirely,” said Edwards. “This lack of awareness is a result of the government’s failure to communicate with the public and help homeowners avoid potential displacement and financial ruin.”
A Blueprint for Reform
To address the issue long-term, the Khari Edwards campaign has rolled out a policy framework aimed at reforming the lien sale program. Among the proposals: automatic enrollment for those who qualify for exemptions, expanded protections for low-income families, all veteran homeowners, and those who are unemployed or underemployed.
In the short term, Edwards and his team have already begun canvassing homes on the lien list, providing residents with resources and information to keep their properties off the auction block.
As East New York continues to see development pressure and rising property values, Edwards’ rallying cry is rooted in preserving the community for those who have called it home for decades.
“This is personal. It’s about my mother, but it’s also about thousands of Brooklyn families just like mine,” he said. “This should never happen again.”
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