The Consumer Federation of America joined dozens of consumer advocates, community groups, housing organizations, and private firms in urging the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to officially and explicitly allow owners who have inherited their home, or otherwise may not have a traditional deed, to show alternative means of ownership in order to qualify for disaster relief funds (CDBG-DR) after a natural disaster.

Without a federal requirement, far too many states and local governments will continue to promulgate ownership requirements that exclude heirs property owners and other survivors without conventional documentation of title.