Workbench and Envision Housing have joined forces to solve more of California’s housing crisis.
“It’s too expensive to build in California.”
“It takes too long to build anything here.”
As designers and builders, we hear these problems. Today we’re taking a significant step to counter the narrative. We are proud to announce that Workbench and Envision Housing are joining forces to be a combined develop-design-build team.
About Envision Housing
Envision Housing was founded to help solve California’s historic housing shortage and affordable housing crisis. The company has grown to specialize in partnering with local organizations that own land and want to help create the best type of new housing units for their community. Envision’s projects range from permanent supportive housing for individuals exiting chronic homelessness to housing that reduces displacement from communities of color.
“Envision Housing’s innovative approach develops affordable and workforce infill rental housing, especially with non-profit and mission-driven landowners. For example, we have just completed the development of a 12-unit project with Genesis Worship Center, a Black church in East Oakland. This housing is now transitional re-entry housing for twenty adults,” said Sibley Simon, Managing Director of Envision Housing. “As a combined team with Workbench, we can reduce the time and cost involved in building new housing with our site partners, and that means housing that is more affordable.”
“California needs to build more density and needs to do it beautifully and affordably. We are passionate about leading a part of that future.””
Lasting Solutions
Workbench was founded to design and build missing middle and infill housing, along with community-based commercial spaces that bring neighborhoods together. Combining Envision Housing and Workbench will change the California Housing Crisis narrative.
"In addition to opportunities for Workbench to help build more affordable housing, combining teams also adds to what we can offer to our clients," said Tim Gordin, co-founding Principal at Workbench. "The Envision team brings to Workbench more expertise in development services, from environmental review, to using new state laws, to financing strategies."
"As architects, builders and developers, we have the skills, resources, and abilities to better house our communities. Government programs can only do so much. California needs to build more density and needs to do it beautifully and affordably," added Jamileh Cannon, co-founding Principal at Workbench. “We are passionate about leading a part of that future."
Looking Forward
Over the following weeks and months, you'll see these changes take effect at Workbench. You'll be able to see our current projects in motion. You'll meet some of the families that these projects are impacting. Hopefully, you'll see ways and opportunities to get involved in helping us work to end this crisis in California.
