Habitat for Humanity’s first 3-D printed home given to Virginia family

New technology helped the Christian charity homebuilders make one Virginia family’s “dream come true” – faster and at a lower cost.

“My son and I are so thankful,” said the mother, identified only as April, at the ribbon cutting ceremony at her new home in Williamsburg, VA. “I always wanted to be a homeowner. It’s a dream come true.”

The 1,200-square foot home is the first 3D-printed home Habitat for Humanity has ever given to a family, according to a post on the local chapter’s blog.

Habitat for Humanity partnered with Alquist, a home 3D printing company which approached officials in James City County, VA at the beginning of the year to discuss a project in the county’s rural communities.

Alquist printed the concrete walls of the three-bedroom, two-bath home in under 12 hours, which shaved four weeks off the standard construction schedule and saved an estimated 15% per square foot in building costs. Using concrete will reduce future heating and cooling costs due to better insulation and provide better protection against tornadoes and hurricanes.  

“Many people think Habitat gives homes away; we don’t,” said Janet V. Green, CEO of the Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg. “We sell homes to families with low to moderate incomes.”

Habitat homebuyers must have income between 45 and 80 percent of the area's median income, excellent credit and the ability to pay for their new Habitat home, according to the blog post. Habitat homes are sold at no profit with a zero-interest equivalent, 20- to 30-year mortgage.

April also logged 300 volunteer hours at the construction site and the local Habitat ReStore, which sells donated items – another requirement. She works at a local hotel, where she has been employed full-time for the last five years.