Funding Aims to Address Heirs’ Property Challenges and Empower Local Entrepreneurs
NEW ORLEANS – ECNETNews reports that a significant funding initiative has been launched to tackle heirs’ property issues and support local entrepreneurship. A total of $75,000 in grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas has been awarded through Hancock Whitney to three organizations: Louisiana Appleseed, Desire Community Housing Corporation, and Divine Touch Community Development Center. In addition, Coastal Communities Consulting received a $30,000 grant as part of the Partnership Grant Program.
Understanding Heirs’ Property
Heirs’ property refers to land inherited without proper legal documentation, often leading to complex ownership situations as generations pass. Clear title acquisition becomes increasingly difficult in the absence of deeds or wills.
The $25,000 grant awarded to Desire Community Housing Corporation will enable the organization to provide financial literacy education and affordable legal services to prospective homebuyers.
Deborah Davenport, a certified housing counselor at Desire Community Housing Corporation, emphasized the initiative’s goal: “We are dedicated to ensuring that disenfranchised populations maintain their land and property legally.”
Similarly, Louisiana Appleseed will leverage its $25,000 grant to facilitate legal clinics statewide in collaboration with legal aid providers. Executive Director Adrienne Wheeler remarked, “We appreciate being part of the effort to reduce heirs’ property issues in Louisiana. This funding will enhance our capabilities in generating wills for low-income communities.”
Divine Touch Community Development Center will use its $25,000 grant to conduct educational events focused on homeownership and estate planning, equipping community members with essential skills to manage wills and property transfers. Executive Director Eleanor Shaw stated, “These funds are vital for a community that often lacks necessary resources.”
In 2024, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, along with 20 member institutions, allocated $2 million for the Heirs’ Property Program, benefiting 33 organizations across five states. This funding is expected to facilitate the clearing of approximately 560 titles and enhance training and education for over 5,670 individuals on heirs’ property matters.
LaCarsha Babers, Vice President and Community Outreach Officer of Hancock Whitney, affirmed their commitment to fostering generational wealth: “By providing families with vital resources, we empower entrepreneurs to pursue their business aspirations and create brighter futures.”
Partnership Grant Program Overview
The Partnership Grant Program allows FHLB Dallas member institutions to contribute between $500 and $5,000 to nonprofit organizations, which are matched at a significant ratio to yield up to $25,000 in total funding. This initiative strengthens the ties between community nonprofits and member institutions.
The $30,000 grant awarded to Coastal Communities Consulting will support its ongoing small business technical assistance and training programs, focusing on sustainable business practices amid climate change and environmental challenges.
Sandy Ha Nguyen, the executive director of Coastal Communities Consulting, passionately expressed the organization’s mission: “Our goal is to ensure that every individual we assist leaves with increased confidence and knowledge, empowering them to become leaders in their communities.”
In total, FHLB Dallas and its partners allocated $1.2 million to the Partnership Grant Program in 2024.
“It is inspiring to witness the positive impact of these programs in a dynamic city like New Orleans,” stated Greg Hettrick, Senior Vice President and Community Investment Director at FHLB Dallas. “We look forward to supporting such initiatives in the years ahead.”
For more information about the Partnership Grant Program and the Heirs’ Property Program, stay tuned to ECNETNews.
