Dispossessed
How Black Families Are Losing Their Land
Black landowners are disproportionately vulnerable to laws and discriminatory practices that allow speculators and developers to acquire their property.
New Legislation Would Expand Access to Disaster Relief, Provide Help With Titles for Large Number of Black Landowners
The bills come after ProPublica’s reporting on land passed down informally within families, known as heirs’ property. Representing about one-third of Black-owned land in the South, it can be ineligible for aid and vulnerable to forced sales.
Black Landowners Will Benefit From New Funding to Prevent Land Loss
A year after a ProPublica story highlighted problems for landowners who passed down “heirs’ property” without wills, a reformer won a MacArthur “genius” award and a nonprofit organization has received a flood of donations.
U.S. Senate Greenlights Funding to Help Prevent Families From Losing Their Land
A ProPublica-New Yorker story about black land loss was cited by the legislation’s sponsor before the near-unanimous vote.
Elizabeth Warren Announces Plans to Help Heirs’ Property Owners
The Democratic presidential candidate cited a ProPublica investigation into black land loss in her proposal.
Federal Government Wants to Hear From Heirs’ Property Owners
Ten days after a story about black families losing their land, the USDA scheduled listening sessions to hear from people who have had trouble qualifying for federal programs because their land was passed down without a will.
What We’re Watching
During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.
Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.
Sharon Lerner
I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.
Andy Kroll
I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.
Melissa Sanchez
I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.
Jesse Coburn
I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.
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