Revaluation of property taxes for the most elderly

[Regina Mattera]

Dear Senator Garson and Orange County Commissioners,

My husband and I have lived in Chapel Hill, in the same residence, for 31 years.

During that time our home has been a refuge for us, as well as for a time, our children and grandchildren. We are now in our 80’s and find ourselves struggling to “age in place”, having difficulty paying our property taxes, utilities, insurances, charitable offerings and food costs. We are currently very mobile and beyond the more difficult jobs, are well able to maintain our home and ourselves.

We attended a County Commissioners meeting last night and were both upset and encouraged by its subject matter. Holy Trinity Anglican Church, hoping for a positive conclusion to their rezoning application, in conjunction with their anticipated build of 3 homes (allied with PeeWee nonprofit org.) was fervently supported by the testimony of congregants and PeeWee’s current directors and inhabitants. A religious community plus safe, secure, affordable housing was the target, leading to a stable, more healthy society in their midst.

As for ourselves, we believe that being able to age in the home and community environment that we feel safe and secure in should be something our local government should strive to offer and protect.

We therefore implore our local government members, for whom we voted, to preserve our life!  Please reform our tax programs to include relief for those of us who have worked hard to own our homes, pay our bills regularly and on time, participate in community religious and charitable organizations, and yet, on a now very fixed income can not without pain pay our exorbitant property taxes.

Thank you for hearing me.

Sincerely,

Regina Mattera

123 Cardiff Place

Chapel Hill, NC, 27516

919-357-1131

[Wil Glenn]

Good afternoon Mrs. Mattera,

Thank you for your email.

 

I wanted to make you aware of Orange County’s Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program (LHAP), which may be able to help with your 2026 property taxes.

The application period is open through Nov. 6, 2026. The program has income and home-value requirements, but because you and your husband are both over 70, I encourage you to contact the Housing Department at 919-245-2490 to discuss your eligibility.

 

You can find information about the LHAP here:

https://www.orangecountync.gov/2944/Longtime-Homeowners-Assistance-Program-L

 

One important note is that homeowners must pay their property taxes in full before receiving reimbursement through the program.

 

 

Wil Glenn

Community Relations Director

Orange County Government
Office Phone: 919.245.2302

Mobile Phone: 919.430.4900

Email: wgl...@orangecountync.gov

 

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From: Regina Mattera <rgrace...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 11:06 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>; Jonah....@ncleg.gov
Subject: Revaluation of property taxes for the most elderly

 

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

[Jean Hamilton]

Dear Regina Mattera,

On behalf of the BOCC, thank you for sharing the impact of the property tax burden you are facing. We are very aware that increased property taxes from the revaluation and county and town budgets result in many residents, especially those on fixed incomes, having to make hard decisions to pay their taxes.  The BOCC established the Tax Assessment Work Group to review how property revalutions are done to improve the fairness and transparency of our assessment processes. We have also had a consultant review Tax Office operations and are in the process of hiring a new Tax Administrator.

 

The BOCC has limited authority to put in place tax reform programs that would really help residents on fixed incomes. That authority lies with the NC State Legislature. As shared by Community Relations Director Wil Glenn, the BOCC approved increased funding of the Longtime Homeowners Assistance Program (LHAP) to provide some tax help to eligible homeowners and changes in criteria to better support older residents. The BOCC will continue to take into account tax burdens as we face difficult fiscal challenges due to decrease funding by the state and federal governments and rising costs.

Sincerely,

Jean

Jean Hamilton, Chair

Orange County Board of Commissioners

 

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From: Regina Mattera <rgrace...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2026 11:05 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>; Jonah....@ncleg.gov <Jonah....@ncleg.gov>

Subject: Revaluation of property taxes for the most elderly

CAUTION: External email. Do not click links or open attachments unless verified. Report suspicious emails with the Phish Alert Button located on your Outlook menu bar on the Home tab.

Dear Senator Garson and Orange County Commissioners,