CLEVELAND, Ohio — Cuyahoga County’s effort to help older homeowners catch up on property taxes and remain in their homes fell far short of expectations in its first year, with just a fraction of eligible residents applying for the relief and an even smaller portion getting approved.

Of the 615 applications or inquiries submitted to the Taxpayer Assistance Program this year, just 151 were ultimately approved for aid — far below the more than 4,000 homeowners Treasurer Brad Cromes initially estimated could qualify.

And though Cromes noted that some funding did go to each of the county’s 11 districts, the amount varied widely. Most of the aid ultimately clustered in a handful of districts — primarily in Cleveland and the eastern suburbs, including some of the county’s poorer neighborhoods.

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