Pictured above: Susan Friedland, CEO of Satellite Affordable Housing Associates; former state senator Nancy Skinner; Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee; Natalie Aguilera, CEO of Native American Health Center; Dr. Rob Nordgren, chief medical officer of Sutter Health’s Greater San Francisco and East Bay Division and retired NAHC CEO Martin Waukazoo.
What began as a vision to expand access to care and strengthen community connection in Oakland’s Fruitvale neighborhood is now a reality.
On May 19, Native American Health Center (NAHC), Satellite Affordable Housing Associates (SAHA), community leaders, elected officials and residents gathered to celebrate the grand opening of Flicker, a transformative new development that brings together affordable housing, expanded health services and a cultural community space at 3050 International Blvd.
The milestone event marked the culmination of years of collaboration among community partners to create a space rooted in health, stability and cultural connection.
“Flicker represents what is possible when we treat housing as health care and center culture as a critical part of healing,” said Natalie Aguilera, CEO of Native American Health Center. “This space was built with and for the community—from the ground up.”
“Projects like Flicker show what’s possible when strong partnerships come together to support the full needs of a community,” said Dr. Rob Nordgren, chief medical officer of Sutter Health’s Greater San Francisco and East Bay Division. “By bringing together affordable housing, expanded access to care and culturally grounded services, this development creates a stronger foundation for health and stability in the Fruitvale community.”
Community-Centered Model for Health and Stability
Rising on what was once a vacant lot, the five-story development stands as a model for addressing some of the most pressing public health challenges in the East Bay: access to care and housing instability.
On the ground floor, NAHC’s new clinic significantly expands access to dental care in East Oakland, adding 19 dental operatories to help reduce patient wait times that have historically stretched beyond six months.
Flicker Bird Homes, the residential portion of the project, includes 76 affordable units for families earning between 20% and 50% of area median income, including homes for individuals who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness. Residents will have access to on-site services designed to support long-term stability and well-being.
The space also includes a 300-person cultural community center for social services, health education, behavioral health groups and cultural ceremonies, reflecting NAHC’s commitment to integrating care with Native cultural traditions.
That connection is also embedded in the building’s design, which draws on basket weaving patterns and the Northern Flicker bird, whose feathers hold deep cultural and ceremonial meaning.
Building on a Longstanding Commitment
NAHC has served Native American and underserved communities in Oakland for more than five decades, with growing demand for culturally responsive care and support services in recent years.
Sutter Health supported NAHC’s vision for this project through a $1 million investment, helping advance efforts to expand access to care beyond traditional clinical settings and into the community.
“This is more than a building,” Aguilera said. “It’s a commitment to our community’s future.”
