Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be DoneFor generations, people have cared for and passed on land in ways that reflect their culture and values. However, as laws, housing systems, and financial markets evolved, many communities lost land, had less control, and faced increased barriers in accessing the financing needed to achieve their goals and visions for their properties.
Community leaders, researchers, lawyers, policymakers, funders, and other dedicated practitioners are working to better understand how land is held and used. Their goal is to help communities protect their property, preserve their legacy, and have full agency to care for their land. Explore landmark moments in history, how the field has grown, and the progress being made towards full access and agency for communities.
The work around heirs’ property is ongoing, and is grounded in years of advocacy, legal innovation, and community resilience. HAC invites you to learn from those who have been doing this work, reflect on the systems that shape land ownership, and consider how you or your organization might support housing stability and lasting legacies for future generations.
1857
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done1857
Dred Scott Decision
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that enslaved Black Americans were property, denying them citizenship and legal rights.
1862
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done1862
Homestead Act
Enabled widespread land acquisition by white settlers while excluding Black Americans and dispossessing Native peoples.
1865-1910
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done1865-1910
Black Land Acquisition
Black Americans acquired approximately 15 million acres of land post-emancipation.
1887
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done1887
Dawes Act Passed
The General Allotment Act subdivided tribal lands, leading to fractionated ownership and loss of 90 million acres of Native land by 1934.
1910
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done1910
Peak of Black Land Ownership
Black Americans owned approximately 15 million acres of land, marking the peak before systemic land loss began.
1934
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done1934
Indian Reorganization Act
Attempted to reverse the damage of the Dawes Act by restoring tribal governance and communal landholding.
1969
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done1969
Decline in Black Land Ownership
Black-owned land declined to less than 6 million acres.
1980
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done1980
USDA Report on Heirs’ Property
The Emergency Land Fund estimated 5.3 million acres in the South held as heirs’ property.
1997
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done1997
Black Land Loss: 1920−1997
$326 billion worth of Black agricultural land was lost from 1920 -1997.
1999
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done1999
USDA Civil Rights Settlement
Acknowledged and partially compensated for decades of discrimination against Black farmers.
2001
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done2001
90% of Black-Owned Land Lost
Heirs’ Property is identified in 2023 as a leading cause of Black land loss in the 20th century.
2010
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done2010
UPHPA Drafted
The Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Act is drafted and made available for enactment.
2017
Photo by Rory Doyle, There Is More Work To Be Done2017
Racial Wealth Gap Projection
White households projected to reach a median income of $137,000 by 2053, while Black household income projected to reach $0.
2018
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done2018
Farm Bill Provision for Heirs’ Property
The 2018 Farm Bill allowed USDA access for heirs’ property owners without traditional deeds.
2023
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done2023
$41 Billion in property held as heirs’ property
The first national quantitative estimate of heirs’ property: $41 billion in heirs’ property nationwide
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done2023
$32 billion is residential heirs’ property
The estimated assessed value of residential heirs’ property in 44 states and D.C. is $32 Billion.
2024
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done2024
HEIRS Property Act Introduced
Proposed legislation to provide legal services for heirs’ property owners using land for agriculture.
2025
Photo by Shawn Poynter, There Is More Work To Be Done2025
Will Ownership Disparities
Black and Hispanic Americans are the least likely to have estate plans.
2025
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done2025
26 States Adopt UPHPA
As of August 2025, 26 states enacted the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act to protect against forced sales.
2045
Photo by Jennifer Emerling, There Is More Work To Be Done2045
Great Wealth Transfer Forecast
$84 trillion expected to be transferred from Baby Boomers to younger generations by 2045.