The term was adopted by people recruited pre-catastrophe as a name for the familial groups formed who were not related by blood.
During the pre-catastrophe years of the habitats, most people came down with few connections outside of the people in their immediate families. Those who were single or simply single-partnered had little to no connections to those outside of themselves. As time went on, they found themselves forming connections, and some began to form extended families, not based on birth connections, but with all the responsibilities and joy that families bring to their members.
Heart Families emerged from an early LCO Initiative to foster connections between residents. While some families were forming spontaneously, many still struggled to find deeper relationships and connections. As part of the initiative, the Liasons sponsored events where those looking for more connections could meet each other.
While many found their families through the events, heart families also formed through existing connections.