What is Densify Lab?

Densify Lab is a purpose-driven real estate development and community development consulting firm building community-anchored real estate. We develop mixed-use projects with a focus on supportive and attainable workforce housing. We also provide technical assistance to property owners, small businesses, and purpose-driven organizations working to develop housing and preserve cultural districts. We bring a holistic approach to development that blends authentic community engagement and industry knowledge of real estate market dynamics to structure projects creating long-term value for local communities.

My Story

I’m a community development practitioner with over 10 years of experience in affordable housing development and advocacy in the San Francisco Bay Area. My interest in real estate development is motivated by a vision of urban villages in livable cities serving low to moderate income families, seniors, special needs, queer, BIPOC, and intergenerational households. In a span of 8 years working at Chinatown Community Development Center, I secured over $270 million in public and private financing while leading development teams to develop and rehabilitate 396 affordable rental units throughout San Francisco. Prior to Chinatown CDC, I was a Supportive Housing Coordinator with Brilliant Corners for 3 years delivering intensive housing case management services for people with developmental disabilities.

I’m a Bay Area native and grew up bouncing between Richmond, Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco as a kid before moving to San Diego for college, where I studied Urban Planning and Visual Arts. I’m a proud queer, first-generation college graduate, and Chinese-American son of immigrants that speaks broken Cantonese and French. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a Master’s in Real Estate Development + Design in May 2023 and enjoy hands on activities, good coffee, food, the occasional museum visit, traveling to warm weather, park and beach days, biking the San Francisco Bay Trail, weightlifting, cooking, and drifting aimlessly around cities.