Des Moines Sun

The Iowa Economic Development Authority announced a $1.4 million grant for Iowa State University’s College of Design’s 3D Affordable Innovative Technologies Housing Project. 

The grant from the Strategic Infrastructure Program will address the high housing demand in rural communities fueled by ex-urban migration, growing acceptance of remote work and rising costs of urban living. Those factors created a lack of quality affordable housing in rural communities, according to a release from the university.

“Nationwide, rural housing issues are often overlooked,” Luis Rico-Gutierrez, dean of the College of Design said. 

Debi Durham, executive director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority, said the program supports first-class, innovative projects and is an advantage for Iowa’s industries. 

“This project checks that box and more,” Durham said. “3D printed technology is not just a disruptor to the construction industry, it provides a solution for quality, affordable housing in the state, which the Governor’s Economic Recovery Advisory Board has recognized as critical to growing Iowa’s economy.”

Julie Robison will serve as project manager for the project. She will also lead the Iowa Affordable Housing Survey to help compare costs of the team’s demonstration builds to other affordable housing initiatives.