Heirs’ Property Central

A national information hub focused on heirs’ property and residential land tenure

Explore research, learn about cross-sector partners with shared priorities, and access resources to help protect property, preserve family legacy, and steward land with full agency.

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Capital. Clarity. Community.

Available resources, connections, and research on heirs’ property and land tenure.

Construction workers moving lumber
Land Tenure Timeline
Partners Directory
Resource Directory
Heirs’ Headlines

Protecting Property, Preserving Legacy, and Stewarding Land with Full Agency

While exploring this central hub, imagine a future where homeowners, including heirs’ property owners and communal land owners,  have sustainable access to capital and resources that protect their agency and support their housing goals.

The efforts to make this vision a reality include, but are not limited to:  

  • Preserving and Strengthening Homeowner Agency

    Advancing policies and practices that recognize varied ownership models, such as heirs’ property, communal land, and fractionated ownership, and ensure that homeowners keep full control over how their property is used, transferred, and sustained. 

  • Expanding Access to Capital

    Building equitable financial pathways that help homeowners achieve their housing goals with autonomy, including flexible capital tools that reflect community-informed priorities and support long-term stability, stewardship, and generational wealth. 

  • Supporting Informed Decision-Making with Trusted Guidance

    Investing in long-term, affordable access to trusted professionals across sectors who help homeowners preserve, protect, and use their property in ways that align with their goals, through information, education, expert counsel, representation, and resource access and navigation.

Land Tenure Stats

31%

Of Americans have a will

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$32 B

Estimated assessed value of residential heirs’ property in 44 states and D.C

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$41 B

Estimated value of heirs’ property nationwide

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40%

Of U.S. counties have less than one lawyer per 1,000 residents

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65%

Of all estimated residential heirs’ properties are in rural communities

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Latest Posts

Latest Resources

Resource Directory

Heirs’ Property in Latino Communities

Heirs’ Property is an emerging and understudied issue affecting Latino families and communities across the United States. Property ownership has long served as a pathway to economic security, community stability, and intergenerational wealth-building. Yet for many Latino households, barriers to legal and financial systems, limited estate planning,…
Research (Publications, Books, Blog Posts, Other Written Materials)

Heirs’ Property and Estate Planning On-Demand Training

Trainings

Ethical engagement in heirs’ property work: A guide to inform dialogue and practice

Research (Publications, Books, Blog Posts, Other Written Materials)

Graphics Supplement: Understanding Ownership, Unlocking Investment

Research (Publications, Books, Blog Posts, Other Written Materials)

About HAC

The Housing Assistance Council (HAC) is a national nonprofit organization that supports affordable housing and community development across rural America through research, policy advocacy, financial lending, and technical assistance and training.

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