Funds Will Be Used for Financial Property Education
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), through its member Bonvenu Bank, awarded a $25,000 Heirs’ Property Program grant to the Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana (Fuller Center) during a ceremonial check presentation this week. The funds will be used to assist low- to moderate-income families with resolving heirs’ property title issues such as wills, succession and education.
“These funds will help us reach more people, efficiently search for property owners and make the succession process very simple,” said Fuller Center Executive Director Lee Jeter. “Most people in this income bracket don’t have the financial resources for these types of things, so anything we can do to make the process easier is extremely valuable.”
Heirs’ property refers to property inherited without a will or legal documentation of ownership. As property is passed down, each successive generation typically results in more heirs being added to the inheritance. The absence of a deed or will can make it more complicated to obtain a clear title to land or homes as time passes.
“Giving back and helping our community is a win-win situation,” said Michael Colston, vice president and community development officer at Bonvenu Bank. “Enabling new homeowners to retain their homes and keeping property in families builds generational wealth, and not only helps the families immensely, but also the community as a whole.”
In 2024, FHLB Dallas and 20 participating members awarded $2 million to 33 organizations in its five-state region. The funding will help clear an estimated 560 titles and assist more than 5,670 people with training and education regarding heirs’ issues.
“The Heirs’ Property Program funds have been highly sought-after,” said Greg Hettrick, senior vice president and director of Community Investment at FHLB Dallas. “So much so that we’ve added an additional $1 million to our offering in 2025.”
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