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27 July 2024 I N D U S T R Y U P D A T E estate planning clinics and market-based innovations. Grantees include: » Initiative on Land, Housing, and Property Rights at Boston College ($2M): The Initiative at Boston Col- lege, founded and led by national heirs property expert Professor Thomas W. Mitchell, will produce research and policy recommendations to preserve and expand property rights for underserved communities. The Initiative will also engage in commu- nity outreach and train law students, which will enhance national aware- ness about heirs property challenges and solutions. » Alcorn State University Foundation ($300K): The SDFR Policy Center located at Alcorn State University will lead a team to conduct research and outline recommendations for the eth- ical use of public heirs property data to protect vulnerable heirs property owners from being exploited by those seeking to acquire properties at below market value. » Federation of Southern Cooperatives Land Assistance Fund ($150K): The Federation, a regional cooperative and rural economic development organiza- tion, will expand their legal assistance with rural landowners in seven South- eastern U.S. states—including Geor- gia—and uses these types of insights to bolster its research and educational efforts that support impacted individ- uals and communities. » The Brookings Institution and Economic Architecture ($2.3M): Economic Architecture and the Brookings Institution have partnered to launch the second iteration of the Valuing Homes in Black Communities challenge, which will identify the most promising market- and policy-based structural innovations to address the devaluation of homes in Black neigh- borhoods. » LISC Jacksonville ($500K): LISC Jacksonville, a Community Develop- ment Financial Institution (CDFI), is expanding its Heirs Property and Family Wealth Creation programs, a comprehensive model that preserves homeownership and increases home equity by addressing heirs property through free estate planning assistance and legal services for local families. » Howard University Legal Clinic ($500K): Howard University has established an estate planning and heirs property legal clinic that trains future attorneys and provides free legal services to Washington, D.C., and Maryland residents. Since launching in 2023, the clinic has supported over 75 clients and trained 20 students. » Center for NYC Neighborhoods ($889K): The Center, a communi- ty-based nonprofit organization, is working to build capacity to deliver free estate planning and raise aware- ness about its importance among Black homeowners in Brooklyn and the Bronx. » Catapult Greater Pittsburgh ($3M): Catapult, a community-based nonprof- it organization, is expanding its Clinic for Legal Equity and Repair (CLEAR), which supports people living in Allegheny County who do not have a legal title to the property in their name. CLEAR participants are eligible for home repairs, title clearance, and estate planning to ensure they can grow their wealth and transfer assets across generations. Catapult will also acquire and rehab vacant or aban- doned properties in the community to stabilize neighborhoods. WELLS FARGO EXPANDS AVAILABILITY OF CLOSING COST CREDIT W ells Fargo has announced the expansion of its "Dream. Plan. Home." closing cost credit to an additional 16 metro markets across the country. The closing cost credit provides up to $5,000 to make it easier for low- and moderate-income "Safe, affordable homeownership opportunities are foundational for creating thriving and healthy communities." —Abigail Suarez, Head of Neighborhood Development, Corporate Responsibility, JPMorgan Chase