2024 WILDFIRE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

Episode Description:

“Home ownership is about stability. Homeownership is about building wealth. Homeownership is about families. But if you don't have a clear title, you don't know if that stability is going to be there.” —Tim Carpenter

Disaster strikes, but for some, the real battle is just beginning. Millions of homes across the US are caught in a tangled web of heirs property— families without clear title to their generational land. This legal limbo leaves them vulnerable to losing everything. Thus, understanding the challenges of heirs' property is crucial for supporting vulnerable populations in the aftermath of crises.

Tim Carpenter is a seasoned disaster recovery expert at Fannie Mae, with over 25 years of experience navigating the complexities of post-disaster housing. As the leader of Fannie Mae's disaster response team, he brings a wealth of knowledge and a deep commitment to serving impacted communities.

Tune in as Tim talks about the critical issue of heirs' property, Fannie Mae's efforts to address it, and the holistic approach needed for effective disaster recovery.

Connect with After The Fire USA:

• Website: https://afterthefireusa.org/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AfterTheFireUSA
• X: https://twitter.com/AfterTheFireUSA
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afterthefireusa/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atf3r
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuTefxZgWUJkDVoZGZQpxgQ

Highlights:

• 00:22 Spelling Fire
• 05:33 What is Heirs Property
• 12:17 Is Heirs Property Applicable in All States?
• 17:41 The Here to Help Network
• 22:00 Stability and Wealth Matters

👨🏻‍💼Meet Tim Carpenter, Director of Disaster Recovery & Resilience, Fannie Mae

Tim Carpenter is a long-time employee at Fannie Mae, with over 25 years of experience at the organization. As a disaster expert, Carpenter has been deeply involved in Fannie Mae's efforts to support communities affected by major disasters, such as hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and the Tubbs fire.

Carpenter has been instrumental in driving Fannie Mae's initiatives to develop new products and services to better assist homeowners and communities in navigating the recovery process. His expertise and dedication have been invaluable in Fannie Mae's holistic approach to disaster response and community support.

Connect with Fannie Mae:

• Website:https://www.fanniemae.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fanniemae
• X: https://twitter.com/FannieMae
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/officialfanniemae
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fannie-mae-corporation_19722

👩🏻‍💼Meet Jennifer Gray Thompson, MPA, Founder & CEO of After the Fire USA

Jennifer Gray Thompson, named one of Forbes’ “50 over 50” IMPACT Leaders in 2022, has led Rebuild North Bay Foundation since January 2018, transforming it into a national leader in mega fire recovery. A lifelong Sonoma Valley resident, she holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from USC and has worked for the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Post-2017 North Bay fires, she became Executive Director of RNBF, which aids wildfire-affected communities across the American West. As CEO, she developed the Wildfire Resiliency Network and Survivor Deployment Model, advocated for federal policies, and hosted national Wildfire Leadership summits. Jennifer also created the “How to Disaster” podcast and serves on boards supporting Latino communities and first responders’ mental health.