Alameda County Approves $1.3 Million in Reparations for Displaced Black Families
Alameda County supervisors have approved $1.3 million in reparations for displaced Black families from Russell City, a community dismantled by the county and city of Hayward six decades ago. The approved funds will be used for cash payments to the…
San Francisco Oakland San Jose, CA, August 6, 2026 —
Alameda County supervisors have approved $1.3 million in reparations aimed at compensating Black families displaced from Russell City, a community that was dismantled approximately six decades ago. The decision by the supervisors designates funds for cash payments to the remaining individuals who were homeowners and were compelled to leave their properties. This displacement occurred in the 1960s as a result of eminent domain proceedings initiated by the county and the city of Hayward. The first phase of these payments is set to provide up to $25,000 for each qualifying household.
Russell City, once a vibrant Black community, was largely demolished to make way for development projects. The approval of these reparations marks a significant step in addressing the historical injustices faced by its residents. The funds are intended to provide some measure of restitution for the loss of homes and community that resulted from the eminent domain actions.
The reparations program will focus on reaching the last surviving homeowners who were directly impacted by the forced relocation. Eligibility criteria for the payments were not detailed in the provided summary, but the initial payments will be capped at $25,000 per household. The total amount approved for this initiative is $1.3 million.
Story summarized from the original created by Gilare Zada on ww2.kqed.org, see more information here.
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