Portuguese to English Other Government / Politics Housing

Dear Colleagues:
I am translating a series of open-ended survey responses from Brazilian Portuguese to US English. The questions have to do with government housing programs in Brazil. The context is as follows:
"estudos estimam que 30% das famílias que são contempladas pelo financiamento de moradias populares em novos loteamentos acabam por repassar suas casas mesmo antes de ocupá-las."
The troubling phrase is "repassar suas casas." Does this mean they are passing on the opportunity for financing, i.e., declining the financing, allowing it to go to someone else? Do you have any suggestions as to the best way to phrase this verb in US English? Simply saying "pass on," "transfer" or "convey" doesn't seem like the best fit.
Many thanks in advance for your help!
Douglas