Heirs’ Property Initiative | Local Initiatives Support Corporation

Skip to Main ContentHeirs’ Property InitiativeHousingPrioritiesProducts & ServicesCalifornia Emergency Rental Assistance ProgramCommunity Development TrustHeirs’ PropertyHousing Fund DevelopmentHousing Stabilization FundNational Equity FundTeamChild Care & Early LearningEconomic DevelopmentEducationHealthIncome & Wealth BuildingSafety & JusticeSmall BusinessSports & Youth DevelopmentSustainability Program Areas Heirs’ Property InitiativeHousingPrioritiesProducts & ServicesCalifornia Emergency Rental Assistance ProgramCommunity Development TrustHeirs’ PropertyHousing Fund DevelopmentHousing Stabilization FundNational Equity FundTeamChild Care & Early LearningEconomic DevelopmentEducationHealthIncome & Wealth BuildingSafety & JusticeSmall BusinessSports & Youth DevelopmentSustainabilityPreserving generational wealth and preventing displacement.Heirs’ property—land or homes passed down without formal legal documentation—puts billions in generational wealth at risk. Without a clear title, families are vulnerable to forced sales, foreclosure, and exclusion from home equity loans, tax rebates, and disaster aid. LISC’s Heirs’ Property Initiative addresses this urgent issue by helping low- to moderate-income (LMI) households resolve and prevent tangled titles.Through legal support, community partners, and local residents, LISC is working in eight markets—and growing—to turn inherited property into a lasting asset. By 2030, we aim to unlock $1.8 billion in dead equity, induce $50 million in investment, and increase LMI wealth transfer by 5% annually.By 2030, LISC aims to unlock $1.8 billion in dead equity, induce $50 million in investment, and increase LMI wealth transfer by 5% annually.The impact is real: in Jacksonville, a $4.2M investment has preserved over $40M in wealth, delivering nearly 10x return. This work is a scalable solution to expand homeownership, prevent displacement, and ensure families benefit from the historic $90 trillion intergenerational wealth transfer underway.Our approachLISC’s national footprint and deep local partnerships uniquely position us to resolve and prevent heirs’ property cases. By combining data analytics, community navigators, and coordinated legal aid with behavioral insights and outreach, we respectfully guide legacy households into the formal housing system.Our approach leverages decades of collaboration with legal aid providers, CDCs, housing counselors, and municipal agencies—accelerating wealth preservation, expanding homeownership, and reducing risks of title fragmentation, foreclosure, and displacement.Connect with our local effortsCincinnati, OH: LISC Greater Cincinnati Heirs’ Property InitiativeJacksonville, FL: LISC Jacksonville Heirs’ Property InitiativeRichmond, VA: The Richmond Heirs Property NetworkLearn moreTo learn more about this work and how you can partner, contact Kristopher Smith, Senior Program Officer, National Heirs’ Practice Lead, at ksmith@lisc.org.