3D Printing Homes for the World’s Most Vulnerable

New Story is a non-profit focused on ending homelessness for families around the globe by providing safe homes. The small team of 10 millennials believes current processes for building don’t have the efficiencies needed to put a dent in a problem that 1B+ people face daily – inadequate housing. After building more than 800 life-changing homes using traditional methods, they’re ready to reinvent the industry to impact more families.

To impact more families faster, cheaper, and with higher quality homes, New Story is partnering with ICON to develop the first 3D printer specifically for underserved populations. This printer, dubbed the Vulcan, will leapfrog technology around homebuilding in the US to bring this innovative technology to some of the most underserved populations in the world.

The printer, developed in conjunction with ICON, successfully completed the first permitted 3D-printed home in America and was unveiled in Austin, Texas. These printers are designed to work under the constraints that are common in places like Haiti and rural El Salvador where New Story works. Power can be unpredictable, potable water is not a guarantee, and technical assistance is sparse. It’s designed to tackle housing shortages in underserved communities.

In 3 short years since their inception, New Story has brought innovative to many areas of traditional charity. Being accepted into the prestigious Y Combinator in their first few months helped shape the organization to think differently about solving the problems of the world’s most vulnerable.

Rethinking the traditional methods has proven successful and resonates with donors. New Story has funded more than 1,400 homes and has built more than 850 with more traditional methods across Haiti, El Salvador, Bolivia, and Mexico.

The 3D printer has been under wraps for the last 8 months during building, testing, and development. Following its unveiling, ICON and New Story will embark on Phase II, which will enhance the printer based on learnings in Phase I. The first community of homes will be printed for underserved families in El Salvador in the coming 18 months, and then through partnerships, the teams will scale up production to serve additional communities over the next few years.tCharity Link