Tax Bills Put Residents On Edge Of Foreclosure

INDIANAPOLIS -- Residents on Indianapolis' east side expressed outrage Tuesday night over skyrocketing property taxes that might cause them to lose their homes.

Homeowners who teeter on the edge financially are worried that large tax bills might force them into foreclosure, 6News' Renee Jameson reported.

David and Lindell Fleitz said they paid $17,500 for their home in 2006. Now they are paying nearly $1,600 a year in property taxes.

"We've got a lot of work to do (on the home,)" David Fleitz said. "It's a wreck, but we're willing to bring something back to the old neighborhood."

City-County Councillor Scott Keller told homeowners gathered at a small meeting that they can take action if their house is assessed over what they can sell it for.

"They don't want to lose their homes, and the government should not be in the landlord business," Keller said.

Christine Shaw, who is disabled and on a fixed income, said she is afraid she will be forced out of her home.

"If I can't afford my house payment, how can I afford a rental payment?" Shaw said. "I don't know what else to do."

The Fleitz's said their picture is not so bleak. They are angry about their bill, but they can pay it.