Pasco homeowner loses his home after signing up for home improvement funding program

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Donald Delorme lived in his Pasco County home for more than seven years. Then, a salesman knocked at his door and offered something that sounded like a great deal.

Delorme decided to sign up.

“Because there were a few things that we needed to fix with the house,” he said.

Through a program offered in Pasco County known as the Florida Pace Funding Agency, he received new windows for his home and a new air conditioning unit. PACE is a program run through the state that is designed to help Florida residents strengthen their homes against storms.

Delorme said he didn’t fully understand what was being offered and at what cost.

“Basically it was high sales tactics you know, but it was something that we needed to get done, so we were like, OK,” Delorme said.

The salesman told him the new windows and AC unit would reduce his power bills.

“With the windows, I was told it would go through and reduce my energy bill, which a little bit but not anything significantly,” Delorme said.

It wasn’t until everything was installed that he discovered problems.

“We had everything installed and that’s when we started getting the bills. It increased my taxes five fold. My taxes went from $500 a year to $2,500 a year,” Delorme said.

Under the program, the loan from Florida Pace Funding Agency is attached to a homeowner’s tax bill.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano said many just don’t understand the consequences of that.

“The interest rates are very high, there is no collateral because it’s on your tax notice,” Fasano said. “So, you don’t pay your tax notice, what happens is you, eventually your home is going to be auctioned by the clerk of the court, so these investors are guaranteed their money.”

In Pasco County, records from the tax collector show nearly 300 people are behind on taxes because of PACE, and 24 people have lost their homes because of it.

Under state law, a home may be sold at auction if a homeowner doesn’t pay their taxes for two years.

Delorme lost his home in 2020 because of back taxes.

“I’m just a little guy here you know, I’ve lost everything,” Delorme said.

Fasano said he will no longer allow PACE to operate in Pasco County.

“I’ve sent them a letter telling them that we are canceling their contract as of Oct. 1,” he said.

Hillsborough County terminated its agreement with the program in 2020.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.