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The joint Alameda County-City of Hayward Russell City Redress Fund is now accepting applications through Nov. 2, 2026, for Redress Fund payments from individuals and households meeting initial Phase I eligibility requirements.
Phase I Eligibility
Based on survey feedback from former Russell City residents, family members and descendants, eligibility to receive Redress Fund payments during Phase I is limited to individuals who resided and personally owned residential property in Russell City between Jan. 1, 1961, and Dec. 31, 1964, and whose property was taken by Alameda County by eminent domain during this period.
Funds will be allocated on the basis of each household, not each resident of a household. Multiple homeowners who resided in the same property can each apply provided they independently meet eligibility criteria.
How to Apply
Submit a completed application and required documentation by email to russellcityredress@acgov.org or by delivering them during In-Person Office Hours.
Download the fillable PDF form
Required Documentation
A valid ID and one of the following forms of documentation to demonstrate homeownership and property address or location during the relevant timeframe is required. Examples of documentation include, but are not necessarily limited to the following:
- Officially Recorded Deed
- Promissory Note
- Contract of Sale
- Evidence of Sale to County
- W-9: Download a W-9 form on the official IRS website
In-Person Office Hours
The Redress Fund Working Group is holding in-person office hours to provide application support and answer questions on select Thursdays at Hayward Public Library’s Downtown Library, 888 C Street, and on select Thursdays and Saturdays at the Library’s Weekes Branch, 27300 Patrick Avenue.
Schedule
Downtown Hayward Library
Fremont Bank Foundation Room A
888C Street, Hayward, CA 94541
- Sept. 3 - 12pm-4pm
- Sept. 10 - 12pm-4pm
- Oct. 8 - 12pm-4pm
- Oct. 15 - 12pm-4pm
- Oct. 29 - 12pm-4pm
Weekes Branch Library
John Pappas Legacy Room
27300 Patrick Avenue, Hayward, CA 94544
- Sept. 17 – 12:30pm-4pm
- Sept. 24 – 12pm-4pm
- Oct. 3 - 12pm-4pm
- Oct. 10 - 12pm-4pm
- Oct. 17 -12pm-4pm
Contacts
Call or email the Redress Fund Working Group at (510) 272-6684 and russellcityredress@acgov.org to ask questions and sign up to receive updates.
- Who qualifies under Phase 1?
A. Phase 1 includes individuals who resided and personally owned residential properties in Russell City between Jan. 1, 1961 to Dec. 31, 1964. - Do I need to have owned property to qualify?
A. Yes, Phase 1 is specifically for former homeowners. - What time-period is relevant for eligibility?
A. Phase 1 involves residential properties taken by the County between Jan. 1, 1961 to Dec. 31, 1964. - What types of housing qualify?
A. Qualifying housing includes residential structures in Russell City that were subject to County acquisition. - If there were multiple homeowners living in the same property location, can each apply?
A. Yes, provided that each applicant independently meets the eligibility criteria. Redress payment will be shared between or among all eligible homeowners.
This is a guide to help applicants search for homeowner documents required to submit a complete application.
Address:
Alameda County Auditor–Controller/Clerk Recorder’s Office
1106 Madison Street
Oakland, CA 94607
Hours:
Office open Monday–Friday
9:00am-5:00pm
Steps to search for homeowner documents:
- Upon entering the Oakland Auditor’s Office building, locate the public computer lab-the first room on your right, which houses approximately 10 computers.
- Choose a computer and open the internet browser. Navigate to the Digital Real application (Clerk Recorder/property search portal).
- In the search bar, type your query using this format:
- "Redevelopment agency of the County of Alameda" "Russell City"
- Include both phrases in double quotes with a space between.) This search typically returns around 356 results-mostly grant deeds in the 1960s. - Refine your search by adding the homeowner’s name in parentheses immediately after the quoted phrases:
- Example : "Redevelopment agency of the county of Alameda" "Russell city" “FirstName LastName” - This computer lab is self-serve. However, there are sometimes on site clerks who are available to help obtain documents and guide your searches.
- The costs for obtaining homeownership documents are below.
- Printing: $3.50 per per page
- Certify Documents: $1.00
- Mailing: Regular Mail is free. FedEx is $24.00 - For paperwork submission, it is recommended that copies are submitted rather than original documentation.
