We’re proud to share that our Co-Founder and President, Weijia Song, was a featured panelist at the recent housing conference session “Balanced and Bold Solutions to Rising Construction and Operation Costs.” The workshop, part of the Produce & Preserve Affordable Homes track, brought together industry leaders to confront the escalating challenges of building and maintaining affordable housing.

Alongside experts from Mutual Housing California, Blach Construction, and Artemis Construction Management, Weijia explored practical strategies to counter rising costs—ranging from collective buying power to evidence-based life cycle analyses. The session focused on how teams can navigate trade-offs, streamline decision-making, and deliver impactful housing outcomes in today’s high-cost climate.

In October 2024, Weijia had the opportunity to speak at the Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California’s Annual Conference on a timely and increasingly important topic: “Renovations on the Rise: How to Prepare For Your Upcoming Rehabilitation Project.”

With the surge in rehabilitation projects awarded 4% tax credits and bonds in 2023, affordable housing developers are entering a new phase of opportunity—and complexity. Our session offered a deep dive into the lifecycle of rehabilitation and resyndication projects, from early portfolio evaluation through feasibility, financing, tenant engagement, and closing.

It was an honor to join a panel of experienced practitioners from Mercy Housing, EAH Housing, and California Housing Partnership (CHPC) who are committed to elevating the quality and longevity of affordable housing through thoughtful, resource-savvy rehabilitation work.

CO-‘s Weijia Song moderated the State of Multifamily Housing panel at the 2024 Harvard Real Estate Symposium. Participating on the panel held at the Harvard Business School were Eric Hepfer of Hines, Heather, Boujoulian of Berkshire, and Christopher Johnson of Related California Affordable. The discussion covered the many challenges facing multifamily housing in the US and shed light on new opportunities for innovation and impact!

Weijia Song, Partner at CO- and Director of Development, recently shared insights at the 2023 NPH Northern California Housing Conference. As part of a panel focused on rehab projects, Weijia discussed the application of funding programs like State historic credits, IRA solar credits, the Green and Resilient Retrofit Program, and the Portfolio Reinvestment Program to CO-‘s completed and ongoing projects. Joining her were Lindy Suggs from the California Department of Housing & Community Development, Lauren Maddock from California Housing Partnership, and panel moderator Claire Parisa from Enterprise Community Partners.

We are excited to announce that the City of Hollister Planning Commission has given unanimous Site and Architecture plan approval to our West of Fairview Affordable Housing development proposal. This milestone is a culmination of the work that CO- has done as the combined architect and development manager on the project. We are excited to continue working with our development partner, Eden Housing, to bring 100 units of much-needed affordable housing to the Hollister community.

Our proposal for the West of Fairview development includes the construction of a range of affordable housing units and community amenities such as a playground, community center, and outdoor recreational space. We would like to thank the City of Hollister Planning Commission for their support and approval of our project. We look forward to working with the city and community members to bring this vision to life.

Collective Operations (CO-) seeks an Architectural and Urban designer, and a Real Estate Development Project Administrator on a full or part time basis. CO- practices Architecture, Urban Design, and Real Estate Development in parallel and pursues equilibrium between design excellence and project feasibility. Current design work includes multi-family housing projects and urban Design proposals and studies.

Architectural and Urban Designers work alongside partners to develop projects in various stages, from conceptualization to construction. Real Estate Development Project Administrators work alongside Partners to secure project funding, coordinate consultants, liaise with local approval organizations, and support other aspects of the development phase.

Candidates must be fluent in written and spoken English, with additional language abilities considered a plus, and must currently be authorized to work in the United States.

The position may be taken remotely, with a preference for candidates in the San Francisco Bay Area or Boston Area.

CO- has commenced the renovation of a 2000sf apartment in downtown San Francisco. The 5 bedroom unit will be renovated with a new kitchen, bathrooms, finishes and appliances. Construction photos coming soon!