In January 2017, the city of Hayward (pop. 150,000) was experiencing “heightened community concerns about human and civil rights, and about increased tensions between community members based on people’s political affiliation, economic status, place of origin, immigration status…and other physical characteristics.” In response the city set up a community task force to use an inclusive process to update Hayward’s 1992 anti-discrimination action plan.
Hayward, California seized upon the opportunity to create a new fire station which also provided health care to low income residents. By creating a dual purpose facility, Hayward built upon trust in first responders and offered health care to a critically under-served population.