HEIR Act of 2025

H.R. 1607, the Heirs Empowerment and Inheritance Rights Act of 2025, would modify federal regulations to help property owners who inherited land without traditional documentation access disaster recovery assistance. Currently, federal agencies administering Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery programs often require standard title documentation, which excludes heirs' property owners—individuals who inherited family land without a will or formal ownership records. This bill would direct the Department of Housing and Urban Development to accept alternative forms of documentation, including a standardized affidavit of ownership form available in multiple languages, to prove property ownership.

Heirs' property is particularly common among marginalized communities and has historically prevented families from accessing federal disaster recovery aid needed to repair and rebuild homes after natural disasters. If enacted, this legislation would expand access to recovery funds for these property owners, helping them maintain their homes and build financial security. The bill is currently under committee consideration and has not yet been voted on by the full House.