Bellow Scholars Program Report on Projects:Laura McNally, Case Western Reserve School of Law - Examining the Impact of “Tangled Titles” on Housing Stability, Wealth Preservation, and Aging in Place in Urban Cities

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Session Type: Bellow Scholars

Session Capacity: N/A

Location: N/A

Room: Waterview A

Floor: Lobby Level

This research project aims to examine the impact of “tangled titles” on housing stability, wealth preservation, and the ability of senior citizens to age in place in urban cities, focusing on historically redlined neighborhoods. Tangled titles happen when the legal ownership of a property is unclear or disputed. The primary way this occurs is heirs’ property, or property passed down without a clear title. Tangled titles disproportionately affect Black communities, leading to barriers in accessing financial resources, housing stability, and generational wealth accumulation. Furthermore, senior citizens living in homes with tangled titles face additional challenges, including difficulties securing home modifications, accessing social services, and displacement. Using a mixed-methods approach—including GIS (Geographic Information System) mapping, legal case analysis, and qualitative interviews – this study will provide empirical evidence to inform policy recommendations and legal interventions that will untangle titles and support aging residents. The study is intended to provide additional essential information to help direct service work and expand our understanding of the issue and its impact on our elderly and aging population. Despite the issue of tangled titles being well-known as problematic, there is a dearth of data available to support the need for legal services in the Cleveland community