City of Palm Springs Fulfills $5.9M Settlement Payment

October 8, 2025 – Palm Springs, CA

In a landmark moment for justice and reconciliation, the City of Palm Springs has officially fulfilled its $5.9 million settlement payment to the survivors and descendants of Section 14, closing a long and painful chapter in the city’s history while taking steps toward healing and accountability.

The payment, confirmed on October 7, 2025, represents the completion of the City’s financial commitment to the historic 2024 Section 14 Reparations Settlement, which was unanimously approved by the Palm Springs City Council last November.

🏠 A Community Uprooted
Section 14, located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, was once home to hundreds of Black, Latino, and Indigenous families during the 1950s and 1960s. Despite limited city services, it became a close-knit and thriving community — full of homes, churches, and small businesses.

However, under redevelopment plans and discriminatory housing policies, residents were forcibly removed, and their homes were destroyed without fair notice or compensation. The traumatic displacement left lasting scars on generations of families who had made Section 14 their home.


💰 Details of the Settlement
According to the City of Palm Springs press release, the settlement includes multiple components designed to address both past harms and future opportunities:

$5.9 million in direct financial compensation to eligible survivors and descendants

$20 million in affordable housing initiatives over the next decade, prioritizing access for former Section 14 families

$1 million in small business support programs to foster economic empowerment

Plans for a public memorial and dedicated park honoring Section 14 families

Support for a potential Section 14 Cultural and Racial Healing Center led by the community

The City received nearly 1,500 signed waivers, surpassing the 1,200 required to authorize disbursement of individual payments. Funds have now been transferred to the legal representatives managing the distribution.


🤝 Commitment to Reconciliation
Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles emphasized that the settlement was approached “with care, transparency, and respect for everyone involved.”

“Our goal from the beginning has been to resolve these longstanding claims in a way that is fair, equitable, and focused on healing and progress,” said Stiles.

While the financial payment fulfills one part of the agreement, the City has pledged to continue advancing reconciliation through housing programs, business support, and cultural preservation initiatives.


🌳 Honoring the Legacy of Section 14
The agreement also includes plans for a public memorial and a future park dedicated to the families of Section 14. These projects aim to create a space for reflection, education, and remembrance — ensuring that the story of Section 14 is not forgotten or erased.

Urban Palm Springs recognizes the advocacy and persistence of survivors, descendants, and community leaders who fought for decades to see this day come. Their resilience is a reminder that justice may be delayed, but it can never be denied.


✊🏾 A Step Forward, Not the Finish Line
The fulfillment of the $5.9 million payment is a historic milestone, but true healing requires continued commitment. The legacy of Section 14 calls for ongoing investment in equity, affordable housing, and cultural restoration — ensuring that Palm Springs becomes a city where all communities are seen, valued, and supported.

Urban Palm Springs will continue to follow and uplift the progress of these initiatives and the voices of those directly impacted.