There are approximately 1.2 billion people in the world that don’t have appropriate housing. This is an extremely large problem that needs to be fixed. Fortunately, there are people all over trying to find ways to put an end to this heartbreaking dilemma. One company from Austin, Texas, may have found the answer to this harrowing predicament we’re in.Using the Vulcan printer, homes can be printed for around $10,000. The company plans on getting that number down to $4,000 in the near future.
Eventually, though, they want to create a community of 100 homes in El Salvador. ICON teamed up with a non-profit company that’s invested in finding solutions for international housing problems.
“We have been building homes for communities in Haiti, El Salvador, and Bolivia,” said Alexandria Lafci, co-founder of New Story.
“There are a few other companies that have printed homes and structures. But they are printed in a warehouse, or they look like Yoda huts. For this venture to succeed, they have to be the best houses,” says Ballard.
Using cement will eliminate any concerns potential tenants would have about the sturdiness of the structure. “I think if we were printing in plastic we would encounter some issues,” said Ballard.
Using a 3D-printer also greatly reduces the costs of labor. Unfortunately, that could ultimately make the construction labor unions pretty upset.
Which is great, considering that on any given night more than 550,000 Americans are sleeping on the street. Hopefully, ICON continues to make great progress to help out those in need.
**ICON has made the 3D-Printed home that could end the problem of homelessness in the world.**