AUSTIN (KXAN) --- A community that's helping people emerge from chronic homelessness continues to grow with the help of technology.
One hundred 3D printed homes will come to Community First! Village. The community, created by the nonprofit Mobiles Loaves & Fishes, provides affordable and permanent housing for people leaving chronic homelessness.
“Community First! Village is at the center of innovation in our country in terms of communities and movements that are effectively addressing homelessness. With the help from our friends at Lennar Foundation, we can continue our mission to deliver dignified homes for those in need and continue the long-term relationship with Mobile Loaves & Fishes,” said Brooke Bauguess, VP of Marketing & Communications at ICON.
Austin-based 3D printing company, Icon, is behind the latest construction. It developed robotic and artificial intelligence systems to lower the cost and increase the speed of construction.
“We are delighted to continue our relationship with ICON and utilize their groundbreaking technology in Community First! Village as we continue building homes and bringing dignity to our neighbors who need it most,” said Alan Graham, founder and CEO of Mobile Loaves & Fishes, the developer of Community First! Village.
Icon plans to build a mix of town home units and family homes. This addition is part of the 127 acre, two-phase expansion at the village.
Once complete, it'll be home to about 1,800 people.
"I'm so proud of this place. Really it's changing people's lives."
Blair Racine, Community First! Village Neighbor
Neighbor in the village, Blair Racine, said it is a community in every sense of the word for people living there.
"We're having a meal tonight and bingo," Racine said. "I mean, we're all together. It's so important because we gather. Interpersonal relations are so important."
