Governor Visits Mahoning Valley Senior Center Addresses Homestead Exemption Bill

Posted on April 1, 2007 in In The News for All Communities

Governor Ted Strickland addressed members of the Mahoning County Senior Center, professionals of senior services and local government officials, promoting his new proposal, the Homestead Act for seniors. The Governor described the homestead exemption as a valuable tool to help certain older Ohioans reduce their tax liability. It would remove existing income limitations on the homestead exemption and make property tax relief available to all senior citizens and disabled homeowners. According to the Ohio Department of Aging, this would increase the number of eligible recipients for homestead relief from the current 220,000 to 775,000, which is about one-quarter of all homeowners, and save older home owners an average of $400 a year. Although HB 119 removes the income test for the Homestead exemption, implementation would provide a proportionately more substantial deduction for the low-income elderly homeowner.

“We were honored to give Governor Strickland a forum for this important issue -- it was thought- provoking and our members appreciated being part of the discussion” said Senior Independence Executive Director Karen Ambrose.

The Senior Center, located on the Fifth Avenue campus of Park Vista, is managed by Senior Independence, a not-for-profit provider of senior services in the Mahoning Valley. “This was such an exciting day for our members” said Sue Gans, Center Director. The Senior Center is a place to go for social activities, volunteer opportunities, health screenings, health and consumer education, creative arts and exercise. Its goal is to promote the dignity, self-determination and well-being of older citizens. Center activities and services include computer training, exercise and dancing classes, financial and ard clubs, and trips.

Senior Independence strives to be Ohio's premier provider of home and community based services recognized for quality, innovation and a positive work environment. Statewide, Senior Independence offers services to 49,000 older adults in 36 Ohio counties and operates 11 adult day centers. Senior Independence is the home and community based services division of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services, the largest and most experienced not-for-profit provider of continuing care retirement communities and services in Ohio. Since 1922, OPRS' continuing care retirement communities and programs have defined the highest standards of quality of life for older adults.