Navigating property formalization in post-disaster recovery: An analysis of Puerto Rico’s title clearance program in Villa Esperanza, Puerto Rico

This study examines the implementation of Puerto Rico’s Title Clearance Program in Villa Esperanza, an informal settlement in Toa Alta, following Hurricane María in 2017. Through semi-structured interviews conducted in summer 2022 with 20 participants, including residents, community leaders, government officials, legal advocates, and other stakeholders, this research examines the intersection of property formalization and disaster recovery in marginalized communities. The findings reveal significant barriers to program participation, including complex documentation requirements, limited resources, and historical patterns of exclusion from formal systems. Despite these challenges, residents demonstrate remarkable agency in pursuing title clearance as a pathway to accessing basic services and future disaster assistance. The study contributes to understanding how a land title clearance program in the post-disaster recovery phase interacts within the context of informality. In addition, the study highlights the need for more inclusive approaches to disaster recovery and acknowledges the challenges and realities related to informal land tenure from the perspective of a single case study in Puerto Rico.