What States Can Do to Protect Heirs from Disaster Displacement

Heirs lack property titles, and are losing disaster aid. States must fund legal aid and expand ownership verification to secure housing and funds.

This issue brief addresses the critical housing and financial vulnerabilities of heirs property owners following natural disasters, highlighting that those who inherit family homes informally often lack the clear titles required to access federal and state recovery funds. Because these homeowners are frequently excluded from disaster assistance, insurance payouts, and home repair programs, the report urges states to implement protective policies such as expanding ownership verification to include heirship affidavits, reforming property tax laws to ensure heirs qualify for homestead exemptions, and funding specialized legal aid to resolve title issues.

By the National Consumer Law Center