Tampa Kicks Off First 3D-Printed Homes Project To Build Affordable Housing

Work started Thursday on a groundbreaking East Tampa project where machines will print houses from concrete. The new neighborhood will mix 14 regular homes with four built by giant robotic printers: a first for the city.

"We've been practicing and practicing and getting it ready. We had to, of course, go through a lot of zoning and permitting to make sure that we can use the proper techniques for it, and we're really excited to bring the very first in Tampa 3D printed homes," said Ernest Coney, the CEO of CDC of Tampa, according to Fox 13 News.

Each house in Knoll Pine Way will span 1,200 square feet. The printers will squeeze out concrete to shape the walls both inside and out, creating three-bedroom, two-bath homes.

These printed structures offer clear benefits. "One, it's faster, and two, it's energy efficient. So, you save on your energy costs, and three, when you think about sustainability when it floods, we're in Florida, you don't have to worry about rotting wood," Coney said.

Families who make less than 80% of what most Tampa residents earn can buy these homes. The county put $2.4 million into making this happen.

This builds new options in a tight market. "There was a stat like 20,000 people on a waiting list just for Tampa Housing Authority waiting for housing period," Coney said.

For future owner Rene Brown Panko, this means dreams coming true. "My home that's going to be here would have cost me hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars. But because of this program, oh my God, I'm about to cry, I can afford it," Panko said.

At 65, this restaurant owner sees past just having a place to live. "It's my path for my generational wealth, legacy for my family," she said.

Housing experts will pick buyers who qualify. The walls go up in just two days, though finishing each house takes longer.

Want to own one? Check www.cdcoftampa.org for details.