How ‘Tangled Titles’ Affect Philadelphia

Posted by Pew Charitable Trusts on January 31, 2023

Officials in Philadelphia and elsewhere have long grappled with the issue of “tangled titles” for homes—situations in which the deed to a property bears the name of someone other than the apparent owner. Tangled titles can have serious ramifications for residents and neighborhoods, sometimes causing people to lose their primary residence or be unable to manage its upkeep.

These title issues deprive individuals and families of the full benefit of owning a home. Without clear ownership, residents are unable to tap into the home’s value—in many cases, a family’s primary source of accumulated wealth. They can’t sell the property or take out a home equity loan. In most cases, they can’t get homeowner’s insurance or readily qualify for city programs aimed at helping low-income households. Yet at the same time, they’re still obligated to pay their real estate taxes, maintain their properties, and fulfill the other responsibilities of homeownership.

These barriers likewise affect a community’s stability, because homes with tangled titles are prone to falling into disrepair and even becoming abandoned, causing blight and displacement, and reducing the inventory of affordable housing.

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