Palm Springs to Pay $5.9 Million to Compensate Displaced Black and Latino Families from 1960s Neighborhood

A historic step toward justice has been taken in Southern California, where Palm Springs has committed $5.9 million to compensate Black and Latino families displaced from the Section 14 neighborhood in the 1960s.

This decision, unanimously approved by the Palm Springs City Council, is a momentous stride in addressing past wrongs and creating opportunities for healing. In addition to the compensation, the city has allocated $10 million for a first-time homebuyer assistance program and $10 million for a community land trust. It plans to establish a monument honoring the rich history of Section 14. Mayor Jeffrey Bernstein celebrated the move, stating it represents a “bold and important action” that will benefit the entire community while prioritizing support for former residents and their descendants.

While specific compensation amounts for families are still being determined, attorney Areva Martin, representing over 300 former residents and their descendants, emphasized the importance of these resources in fostering equity. Priority for housing assistance will be given to low-income Palm Springs residents, particularly those connected to Section 14.

This initiative follows the city’s 2021 formal apology for its role in the forced displacement, which destroyed homes and uprooted lives. For the families whose memories and legacies were tied to Section 14, this effort represents a meaningful acknowledgment of their pain and a tangible step toward restitution.