TAMPA, Fla. — With the help of cutting-edge technology, the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa is tackling the affordable housing crisis in Hillsborough County. Community leaders, housing officials, and residents came together to see the nonprofit's demonstration of how a 3D printer will revolutionize the construction process.

A 3D printer can create an exact replica of what is in a digital floor plan.

“This is a simulator that can show you what's going to happen,” said Fernando Paillo.

What You Need To Know

  • With the help of cutting-edge technology, the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa is tackling the affordable housing crisis in Hillsborough County

  • ProBuild 3D is the manufacturer of the 3D printer that the CDC of Tampa plans to use to build exterior walls for new homes in Tampa. The printer was purchased with the help of a $500,000 grant from Hillsborough County

  • A project that would have taken 6 months can now be completed in a month

  • The CDC of Tampa says that students at their vocational institute will also benefit from their new purchase

Paillo works for ProBuild 3D, the manufacturer of the printer that the corporation plans to use to build exterior walls for new homes in Tampa.

“It can print whatever project you want; it can be long, it can be rounded,” added Paillo.

The printer was purchased with the help of a $500,000 grant from Hillsborough County, which is currently facing a housing shortfall of more than 26,000 units. CDC of Tampa CEO Ernest Coney, Jr. says his non-profit is embracing this new concept to not only help build more homes faster but also save on costs.

“The challenge that we thought about was the needs are only going to grow. What kind of legacy project can we leave to make sure that we can house more people at the end of the day?” he said.

During a panel discussion, community leaders, housing officials, and residents learned about the quality of these houses. With this printer, a project that would have taken 6 months can now be completed in a month.

“This is just a manifestation of that investment coming forward,” said Dr. Christie Cade of NeighborWorks America.

NeighborWorks America has been a partner with the CDC of Tampa for 20 years.

“To see that technology can be applied to affordability, sustainability, and to solve the problem of the affordable housing crisis is really great,” Cade added.

The CDC of Tampa is in the permitting stage for its first home with 3D-printed walls and plans to build more in the near future.

The CDC of Tampa says that students at their vocational institute will also benefit from their new purchase. The school is registered with the State of Florida Department of Education. They plan to offer certifications in 3D-printed technology.