NYT report: more homeowners being pushed to foreclosure

I think it is entirely wrong for cities and taxing districts to turn over unpaid or property taxes in arrears to third party collection agencies. These agencies obviously turn around and mark up or charge exorbitant surcharges (charging up to 18% interest) to financially strapped homeowners. From a larger perspective, it is shortsighted to gain (in the short term) the direly needed tax revenues. When more homes fall into foreclosures exacerbated by this flawed process, neighborhoods and homes go to disrepair, property values fall, and the vicious cycle becomes more widespread.