Amy Blaisdell
Chief Communications Officer
City of Palm Springs
(760) 323-8250  

The City of Palm Springs would like to inform the community that it has fulfilled the payment terms of its settlement with the survivors and descendants of Section 14 by transferring $5.9 million to their legal representatives. This payment marks the completion of the City’s financial commitment to the agreement approved by the City Council in November 2024.

The 2024 settlement resolved decades-old claims related to actions involving the redevelopment of Section 14 during the 1950s and 1960s. The comprehensive agreement provides direct financial compensation, housing and business investment programs, and cultural initiatives that honor the legacy of the Section 14 community and represent a continued step toward reconciliation.

Under the terms of the agreement:

• The City Council approved $5.9 million in direct financial compensation for eligible survivors and descendants. The payment was contingent upon receipt of at least 1,200 signed legal waivers. As of October 6, nearly 1,500 release/waivers have been received by the City.

• The City Council voted to authorize the named claimant representing survivors and descendants and their attorneys the disbursement of individual payments once the required waivers were received. As with all settlements of claims or litigation, the City does not get involved in how the claimants and their attorneys share in the proceeds.

• The settlement also includes $20 million in affordable housing programs to be implemented over the next decade, prioritizing access for former Section 14 families, along with $1 million in small-business support to strengthen economic opportunity in Palm Springs.

• The City remains committed to establishing a public memorial and dedicating a future park to honor the families of Section 14.

• In addition, the agreement provides that the City will offer support for a potential Section 14 Cultural and Racial Healing Center, which may include letters of support. The City is not obligated to fund any such center but remains committed to helping community-led efforts succeed.

The City’s comprehensive reconciliation initiatives — including the settlement payment, housing programs, business support, and forthcoming cultural memorial — represent an ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion for all residents.

“The City approached this settlement with care, transparency, and respect for everyone involved, said City Manager Scott Stiles. “Our goal from the beginning has been to resolve these longstanding claims in a way that is fair, equitable and with a focus on healing and progress.”

To learn more about the history of Section 14 and the City’s reconciliation efforts, visit EngagePalmSprings.com.