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LISC Jacksonville Receives $450K Grant for Heirs’ Property Issues

Families in a Jacksonville neighborhood focusing on homeownership

News Summary

LISC Jacksonville has received a $450,000 grant from Ameris Bank to address heirs’ property issues in the region. This funding is part of the $5.9 million initiative by FHLBank Atlanta to assist families in resolving title challenges and ensuring long-term homeownership stability. With Duval County having the highest concentration of heirs’ property in the Southeast, this grant aims to mitigate the risks associated with unclear property titles and promote economic mobility.

Jacksonville

LISC Jacksonville has been awarded a $450,000 grant from Ameris Bank, aimed at addressing the significant issue of heirs’ property in the region. This funding is part of the 2024 Heirs’ Property Family Wealth Protection Fund established by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta). The overall initiative will distribute a total of $5.9 million to 21 organizations focused on mitigating challenges related to heirs’ property.

The primary objective of this grant is to assist families in avoiding the involuntary loss of property, resolving title issues, and encouraging long-term stability through the establishment of clear homeownership. The concern arises particularly in cases where land or homes are passed down without a legal will, estate plan, or court documentation, often resulting in ambiguous property titles.

Kirk Malmberg, President and CEO of FHLBank Atlanta, emphasizes that these heirs’ property issues are crucial to resolve for enhancing homeownership stability. Without necessary documentation, property value and condition decline, creating barriers to obtaining loans and accessing tax benefits, thus affecting families’ financial well-being.

Ameris Bank’s Director of Community Lending, Clyde Anderson, expressed support for LISC Jacksonville’s selection for this funding initiative. He underscored the vital role property ownership plays in promoting economic mobility and accumulating generational wealth. Dr. Irvin PeDro Cohen, the executive director of LISC Jacksonville, noted that the grant will assist families in overcoming significant legal obstacles that hinder their legacy and economic opportunities.

Significance of Heirs’ Property Issues

Duval County is identified as having the highest concentration of heirs’ property parcels in the southeastern United States. This local context underscores the urgency of addressing the complications that arise from unclear property titles. The grant from Ameris Bank represents a collaborative endeavor involving FHLBank Atlanta, LISC Jacksonville, and Ameris Bank to confront these heirs’ property challenges effectively.

Background on FHLBank Atlanta and Ameris Bank

Since its inception in 1990, FHLBank Atlanta has allocated approximately $9.1 billion through its Affordable Housing Program, resulting in assistance to over 1.2 million households. This funding supports a range of initiatives aimed at improving housing stability and affordability across its member institutions. Ameris Bank operates a robust network of 164 financial centers throughout the Southeastern United States, managing assets totaling $26.5 billion as of March 31, 2025.

On the ground, LISC Jacksonville has been a significant force in local community development, investing nearly $500 million in regional neighborhoods since 1999 and successfully creating over 3,000 jobs in urban areas. This combination of efforts is expected to foster a healthier property landscape and contribute positively to the community’s economic fabric, particularly concerning families grappling with heirs’ property issues.