1,000 homeowners in Philadelphia have received assistance in drafting wills to safeguard their properties through a local program.
The Will Power Program, an initiative launched in late 2022, has made significant strides in supporting low- and moderate-income homeowners in Philadelphia with estate planning. With 1,000 wills successfully created for residents, the program aims to help prevent families from losing their homes due to disputes or fraudulent activities. Vendetta Stephens, a 72-year-old participant, once viewed wills as unnecessary, believing they were primarily for the wealthy. However, her perspective has changed; she now recognizes the importance of having a plan for her family’s future.
By facilitating the creation of these wills, the Will Power Program seeks to address the serious issue of “tangled titles” within the city. This legal phenomenon arises when a homeowner passes away without transferring the deed of their property, resulting in confusion over property ownership. According to a report from Pew Charitable Trusts, over 10,400 homes in Philadelphia are affected by tangled titles, putting more than .1 billion in potential generational wealth at risk. Without a will, resolving ownership issues can become complicated and hinder the beneficiaries’ ability to utilize their home equity or seek repair assistance.
The program, developed through collaborations between the Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, prioritizes outreach to traditionally underserved communities, particularly Black and Latino populations. Residents within these demographics often harbor mistrust towards legal institutions due to historical mistreatment. To counter this, the program has partnered with local churches, senior centers, and non-profit organizations to hold more than 140 educational workshops aimed at empowering homeowners.
Recent statistics reveal that around 70% of participants in the program are Black, with the median income for these individuals reported at ,320 annually. This demographic insight underscores the program’s commitment to rectifying historical inequities in wealth distribution and home ownership.
On Wednesday, at a ceremony held at Zion Baptist Church in North Philadelphia, representatives from the involved nonprofits celebrated the accomplishment of drafting 1,000 wills. Debby Freedman, executive director of Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, highlighted the program’s role in stabilizing communities and bridging the racial wealth gap, reinforcing the idea that wills can be instrumental in preserving family legacies.
As the Will Power Program continues to expand, it looks to build upon its successes. Program manager Derrick Thomas emphasized that thousands still require assistance in protecting their homes and ensuring their family heritage remains intact. To support these efforts, state Senator Sharif Street announced a new 0,000 grant for the program. Meanwhile, additional funding is secured from various organizations, including Wells Fargo, United Way, and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. With continued support, the Will Power Program is poised to make further inroads in safeguarding Philadelphia’s homes and fostering intergenerational wealth.
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