This June, Maryland officials reintroduced the ambitious Red Line project as a light rail initiative, aiming to boost transit equity in the Baltimore region. While the details like cost and final route are still being worked out, the announcement sparked excitement among Marylanders as a fulfillment of a promise and a recommitment to the area.

As someone who relies on public transit and works as a housing advocate, I’m excited about the potential benefits. Large transit or development projects often are built to increase access. However, I’m also concerned about the unintended consequences such projects can have on vulnerable communities, particularly when it comes to displacing area residents.

Projects like the Red Line are meant to improve access to jobs, schools and essential services. But if current residents are pushed out because of rising property values or land acquisitions, it defeats the purpose. It’s crucial to make sure that the people who need this service the most can actually stay in their homes and benefit from it. This requires thoughtful community engagement and strategic planning.

In my work, I often deal with clients who have “tangled titles” — meaning these residents live in and maintain homes that legally belong to a deceased relative. Often a loved one passes away without a will, but family keep using the property as a “family home.” These situations can go unnoticed for years but become problematic when the homeowner needs to apply for a grant to fix a leaky roof or creaky porch or sell the property. They are denied because their name is not on the deed. Instead, it’s the name of the deceased relative. So, the family is unable to take full advantage of their benefit, their legacy, their intergenerational wealth. Without clear ownership, families can’t fully leverage the value of their homes and can risk losing them.

The Red Line project presents a fantastic opportunity to enhance public transit in Baltimore and bring economic growth. However, it also poses a risk to homeowners with unclear titles. Current residents need to be protected. If the city approaches them to acquire land, these residents may not be able to sell their homes properly because they don’t technically own them. This lack of clarity can also make them targets for tax sales or scams where buyers offer to “help” resolve their legal issues, often stripping them of their home’s equity.

To prevent displacement, we need to implement anti-displacement strategies and support for those at risk. This includes providing legal assistance to homeowners with unclear titles, financial aid for those facing rising property taxes and strong protections against predatory real estate practices. The timing is perfect to address these concerns, as the Red Line is still in the planning stages.

If you’re unsure if the deed to your home or your family’s home is in your name, Maryland offers free tools to check this online. Community organizations and local officials are also there to help. Now is a great time to clarify ownership and protect your rights.

True equity work, and the work to reduce generational harm to communities, goes beyond big projects and promises. It’s about making sure that everyone benefits from new developments and is protected from potential harm. The Red Line project has the potential to bring significant positive change to Baltimore, but it’s essential that this change doesn’t come at the expense of those it aims to help. Let’s ensure that good intentions are matched with thoughtful execution and genuine community support.

Steven Kappen (skappen@mvlslaw.org) is a staff attorney at Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service.