Members of the St. Joseph County Council, joined by Republican State Senator Linda Rogers, provided an update Monday on a local Affordability Agenda first introduced in January.

The initiative, proposed by four Republican council members, centers on four key efforts aimed at easing financial pressure on homeowners and buyers.

Those proposals include extending the existing property tax cap for homeowners age 55 and older, offering property tax deferment options to help seniors remain in their homes, providing tax breaks for first-time homebuyers, and allowing residents to pay property taxes in monthly installments rather than in larger lump sums.

Council members noted the tax cap for older homeowners has already been extended for four years, emphasizing that keeping seniors in their homes remains the primary goal of the plan.

Officials also highlighted that St. Joseph County is currently the only county in Indiana offering a property tax reduction specifically for residents age 55 and older.