Section 14 Survivors First-time Homebuyer Assistance Program

At its October 22, 2025 meeting, the Palm Springs City Council reviewed — but ultimately postponed — approval of a cooperative agreement with the County of Riverside Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions (HWS) to implement the Palm Springs First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program (PS FTHB). The decision to delay final approval was made to allow more time for community feedback from residents, Section 14 survivors and descendants, and local real estate professionals.

Program Overview
The proposed program is designed to expand affordable homeownership opportunities for Palm Springs residents and support long-term wealth-building — with a special focus on Section 14 survivors and their descendants as part of the City’s ongoing restorative justice commitments.

If approved, the City would allocate $1,000,000 annually for up to ten (10) years from the City’s Housing Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) Fund, partnering with the County’s Housing and Workforce Solutions Department to manage the program.

The program’s structure, as outlined in the staff report, includes:

Funding: $1 million per year, for up to ten years.

Administration: 10% ($100,000 annually) allocated to HWS for program management.

Program Disbursement: The remaining 90% ($900,000) distributed in four equal installments (22.5% each) based on performance and compliance.

Target Population: Eligible Palm Springs residents earning up to 140% of Area Median Income (AMI), with a 60-day reservation period prioritizing Section 14 survivors and descendants.

Affordability Term: 15 years — funds are recaptured if the property is sold or no longer owner-occupied during this period.

Lenders: Buyers must work with approved lenders vetted by the County’s HWS department.


Priority and Use of Funds
Upon launch, 20% of total funding would be reserved exclusively for Section 14 survivors and descendants during the first 60 days of the program rollout each year.
After that reservation period, remaining funds would be divided equally (50/50) between Section 14 descendants and other qualified Palm Springs residents.

Applicants would be required to use the awarded funds within three months of approval, though the City may grant a one-time, three-month extension for those actively negotiating a home purchase.

Postponement for Community Input
While the program has received broad support for its potential to address generational housing inequities and support the City’s Section 14 restorative justice goals, several residents and real estate professionals requested additional discussion on eligibility criteria, income limits, and the prioritization process.

City officials emphasized that the delay is meant to ensure that the program reflects community priorities and functions effectively for both Section 14 descendants and the broader population of Palm Springs first-time homebuyers.

City Manager Scott C. Stiles and the Housing & Community Development Department will return to the Council with a revised version of the agreement after conducting outreach meetings with local stakeholders, housing advocates, and the Section 14 Survivor Advisory Committee.

Urban Palm Springs’ Perspective
This proposed initiative represents an important milestone in Palm Springs’ ongoing journey toward housing equity and historical reconciliation. By pairing housing opportunity with restorative intent, the City aims to make meaningful progress toward righting historical wrongs — while expanding access to homeownership for today’s residents.

Urban Palm Springs supports the City’s effort to ensure that the final version of the program is community-informed, transparent, and equitable. We encourage Section 14 families, local realtors, and residents to participate in the upcoming listening sessions before the program returns to Council for final approval.