Just as New Haven was ready to start fixing the mess a developer made of a longtime housing co-op, a judge has halted a crucial tax foreclosure sale—and may have postponed any further action for at least three more months.

Superior Court Judge Michael Maronich ruled that the city may not go ahead with a foreclosure auction planned for this Saturday at the former co-op known as Dwight Gardens. The co-op comprises 80 townhouse apartments on Edgewood Avenue between Dwight and Garden Streets.

The judge ruled last week that the auction can’t take place until Dec. 6. The move thwarts city efforts to get a new owner to start fixing up the property and avoiding a repeat of last winter’s troubles for the dozens of families remaining at the complex.