Boston senior citizens who have owned their homes for decades are being hit hard by the higher property taxes that went into effect at the start of the year, said Michael Kozu, co-director of Project R.I.G.H.T., a collaboration of residents in Grove Hall.

Kozu, a longtime Grove Hall advocate, said he has been getting complaints from senior homeowners about the increase. With food and utility prices soaring, Kozu said elderly homeowners, particularly those on fixed incomes, are “house rich but cash poor,” a problem exacerbated by the property tax hike.

“They have to make these hard decisions about where that money comes from,” said Kozu in a recent interview. “Does it come from their food budget, or are they scrambling to pay gas bills or utility bills?

Heating bills are more expensive this winter because it has been awfully cold.”

The Boston City Council voted in December to set the property tax rates at 13%, which means an extra $780 for the average single-family homeowner.

Mayor Michelle Wu, citing housing as a huge cost for residents, had sought state legislation that aimed to provide relief for Boston homeowners by temporarily shifting more of the tax burden to commercial properties. The measure was blocked in the Senate. Wu refilled the legislation, which the Senate passed in January. It is now awaiting a review in the House.

City Councilor Miniard Culpepper, who represents District 7, urged city and state officials to work in “partnership to develop solutions that support our residents in both the short term and long term.”

Culpepper, in an email, said his constituents have been expressing concerns about their higher tax bills, adding that it is causing real dread among residents who fear being pushed out of homes they have lived in for decades — homes they worked hard to purchase and maintain, he added.

“Residents are reaching out because they are feeling the impact, and many are worried about how they will manage [the] rising costs,’’ Culpepper added. “People are genuinely concerned and are looking for clarity, relief options, and longterm solutions. It’s clear that this is creating real stress for homeowners across the district.”

Fatima Ali-Salaam, president of the Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Council, said that it’s unfair that some landlords of small properties will pay less in taxes than longtime owners of single-family homes.

She said that she has advised members of her group recently on how to seek greater relief from the city. She said she and her husband work and will not be as impacted by the higher prices as others.

“It’s sticker shock for many, especially if you are a retired person and you haven’t made great changes to your home for decades,’’ she added.

Chris Lehman, a board member of the Small Property Owner Association, said the mayor’s proposal would hurt landlords and owners of commercial properties.

He said landlords, who typically pass on increased costs to their tenants, are already reeling from higher property taxes from the past two years and other operating costs. Some have said they might sell and leave the city because it won’t be worth it for them to stay here, he added.

“It’s unfortunate that the tax rate has increased,” said Lehman, “and it’s similarly unfortunate how aggressive the city’s assessing practices have been.”

The city should be more “disciplined” in its spending, Lehman added.

This story originally appeared on flipsidenews.net.