Applications are now available to help qualified Marion residents with their 2016-17 property taxes through the Marion Community Fund of the Community Foundation of Southeastern Massachusetts.

All applications must be received in the Community Foundation’s offices by 3 p.m. on Monday, October 3, and applicants will be informed by mail by late December. Applications are available at the Town House, the Council on Aging, and the Community Foundation, 30 Cornell St., New Bedford. They can also be downloaded at www.cfsema.org.

The Marion Community Fund was established in 1999 by a private donor to provide qualified Marion homeowners with property tax relief. The fund’s goal is to preserve the town’s diversity and character by providing property tax relief for homeowners who might be forced to leave Marion due to higher taxes. There are no age restrictions on this grant.

The Marion Community Fund would like to see people of all ages apply. Marion homeowners who have owned their home for at least one year, have earned income of less than $25,000 (single) or $37,500 (married), and have assets of $46,000 or less (single) or $63,000 or less (married), excluding their home, may be eligible. All payments will be made to the Town of Marion and credited toward the grant recipient’s tax bill.

For assistance with the application, contact the Marion Council on Aging at 508-748-3570.