Pilot program to help resolve title troubles for Dallas homeowners

If you have property in Dallas with a disputed title, the Dallas Title and Property Assistance (TAPA) pilot program may be able to offer assistance.

The TAPA pilot program provides legal assistance to low-to-moderate income families on a variety of title and property issues. The goal is to clarify title ownership to encourage neighborhood stability and help homeowners become eligible for various funding programs to invest in their homes.

For many people, when a family member passes away, or income is a problem, it can be difficult for heirs or owners to fix title issues with their homes.

The TAPA program provides legal aid to residents to prevent foreclosures & tax penalties by subsidizing legal costs. Some of the services provided by TAPA include:

• • Affidavit of Heirships
  • Disclaimer Deeds
  • Warranty Deeds
  • Muniment of Title (evidence of ownership)
  • Small Estate Affidavit
  • Mediation between heirs to a property

Examples of an unclear title my include, but are not limited to:

• If you don’t know if your name is on the deed to your house
• Utility company refuses to discuss unpaid bills with you because your name is not on the deed
• A relative that owned the home in which you live passed away and had their name on the deed

To learn more about this program, view this presentation or watch this video explaining how it works to the Dallas City Council.

For additional information about the program, visit: https://www.texastapa.com/contact_us.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who is eligible?

The program is open to people with an assumed or possible ownership interest in real property located within eligible geographic areas. The pilot program will focus on property in specific areas in Southern Dallas and will provide help to applicants with a household income less than or equal to 120 percent of the Dallas Area Median Income and who are not represented by counsel.

Preference will go to people who have been denied funding for Dallas’ housing programs due to lack of ownership clarity.

When is this happening?

The TAPA program launched in June 2020 and is available to City of Dallas residents on a first-come, first-served basis until allocated funds are depleted.

How can people apply?

People can browse the TAPA website to learn more and apply at: https://www.texastapa.com/.