1. Land is among the most important assets for people.
Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation Resolving Heirs’ Property in Coastal SC & Sustainably Managing Family Land
Land is among the most important assets for people.

2. History of Black Land Loss
After the Civil War, 15M acres
Early 2000’s about 3M acres

3. History of Black Land Loss
Why?

4. Heirs’ Property (HP) What is HP? Why is HP an issue?
How does this for of landownership hamper sustainable development?
Ask how many people own heirs’ property
Can be multiple heirs who each share equal rights to the property

5. The Center’s Purpose Protecting family land
Building generational wealth
Growing working landscapes

6. The Center’s Beginnings
Conceptualized by the community; started in 2002 as a project of Coastal Community Foundation
Convened heirs’ property owners, lawyers, judges, funders & nonprofit service providers

7. Land
According to the US Agency for International Development (AID), land can be “a vital part of cultural and social identities, a valuable asset to stimulate economic growth, and a central component to preserving natural resources and building societies that are inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.”
Point out significance of proposed development
I-95 corridor

8. The Center’s Service Area
Point out significance of proposed development
I-95 corridor

9. 15-County Area Characteristics
Contains 1/3 of the state’s 4.6 M population (1.5M)
11 of the 15 counties designated as persistently poor; contained within Congressman Jim Clyburn’s I-95 Corridor
2 out of every 5 residents are African-American –vs- 1 out of 3 residents in the state
Point out significance of proposed development
I-95 corridor

10. 15- County Area Characteristics
1 out of every 3 residents are poor
Contains at least 108K acres of HP
Contains almost 40% of the states 13.1M forested acres
Contains some of the best soil for growing pine trees
Point out significance of proposed development
I-95 corridor

11. Challenges & Opportunities
Lack of Knowledge
Growth & Development
Boeing & Volvo
Forestry is a $21B industry in SC
Coastal Resiliency/Impact of natural disasters
Point out significance of proposed development
I-95 corridor

12. Estate Planning and Clear Titles
Theory of Change: +
Sustainable Forestry
Estate Planning and Clear Titles

13. Empowerment Philosophy

14. Center’s Team 4 Attorneys 3 Foresters 3 Communication/Outreach Persons
8 Admin/Support Staff
Point out significance of proposed development
I-95 corridor

15. Empowerment Philosophy Strategies
Prevention
Advice & Counsel provided to ~300 annually owning land with tax assessed values (TAV) of $34.8M
Resolution
200 titles, TAV $12M
Land Utilization
Timber harvests, $2M
EQIP Funding, $1.4M
Point out significance of proposed development
I-95 corridor

16. On the Ground with Our Customers

17. One of the Faces of HP

18. Extent of the Issue
Appalachian
Native American
Hispanic/Colonias

19. Questions?

20. Thank You! Jennie L. Stephens, PhD Joshua F. Walden, Esq.
Joshua F. Walden, Esq.
Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation
1535 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Suite D
Charleston, SC 29407
(843)