Iowa City ’embracing innovation’ in 3D-printed affordable housing

Housing costs are a common topic these days where ever you look. Places with low costs of living are easier on their people and attractive to outsiders, too. But how does a place deliver it? Well, in Iowa, they’re investing in innovation. And that means 3-D printing — for houses. There’s no telling yet if the bet will pay out, but the houses are starting to rise. And the early indicators are that the technology can save a lot of time and maybe as much as 30% in construction costs. Get the full story from the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

And why does it matter in Minot? We’ve spent tens of millions of dollars subsidizing housing costs since the flood, typically with direct payments to developers who agree to enter their developments into LMI housing agreements. It invites the question, are there other approaches we should be looking at?