Scrivnr launches program to tackle tangled titles in Philadelphia

"The legal process to prove rightful heirship can be complex and costly, and disproportionately affects families in underserved communities, said Byron Batres, founder and CEO of Scrivnr. Scrivnr's mission is to make legal services accessible so families can resolve title issues and fully claim what's rightfully theirs. Scrivnr's press release cited recent data from The Pew Charitable Trusts, which estimates that tangled title properties across Philadelphia are collectively worth more than $1.1 billion."

"According to Pew, resolving a tangled title often requires an attorney and can cost about $9,200 for a home valued at $88,000. While Philadelphia operates a Tangled Title Fund to assist impacted residents, it limits eligibility to those who plan to stay in the home and earn no more than 80% of the area median income. The fund reimburses up to $5,000 in legal costs per case, although that is well below average attorneys fees."

"The Pew study also identified about 13,000 tangled title properties in Philadelphia, with about 40% having heirs currently living in the homes, while many others are abandoned or in disrepair. When heirs resolve titles and sell, they often earn between $40,000 and $60,000, depending on property size, condition and location. In partnership with Seek Research, Scrivnr has started work to resolve 33 tangled titles representing more than $2.3 million in property values in Philadelphia."

Tangled property titles in Philadelphia total more than $1.1 billion in value and involve roughly 13,000 properties, concentrated in low-income, high-poverty, predominantly Black neighborhoods. Resolving a tangled title often requires an attorney and can cost about $9,200 for a home valued at $88,000. Philadelphia’s Tangled Title Fund reimburses up to $5,000 per case but limits eligibility to owners who will stay and earn no more than 80% of area median income. Scrivnr and Seek Research are partnering to resolve dozens of titles, provide up-front legal funding, recover back taxes, unlock land for housing, and revitalize neighborhoods.

Read at www.housingwire.com