First of it’s kind: The Rogers City Council approved selling an acre of land to the Northwest Arkansas Council Foundation for Arkansas’ inaugural 3D Printed Housing project, aimed at addressing housing affordability.

Groundwork Northwest Arkansas, the foundation’s affordable housing division, will utilize 3D printed concrete technology to construct two-story duplexes at 920 S First Street for community members earning below 80% of the area’s median income. The city sanctioned the land sale at $50,000.

This will be one of, if not THE, first two-story residential 3D printed homes in the US, and it is the first 3D printed home in Arkansas. Duke McLarty, Executive Director, Groundworks

• Duke McLarty, Groundwork’s executive director, emphasized the need for cost-effective housing solutions, citing Rogers' average home price of $505,000.
• Groundwork will collaborate with Alquist 3D, known for using robotic technology to create 3D printed concrete homes, capable of building a 1,500-square-foot home in 30 hours. 

Groundbreaking: The project aims to erect "at least four structures," comprising "at least eight units of housing," featuring two-story duplexes ranging from 1,300 to 1,600 square feet.

• Construction is slated to commence in late spring or summer, with occupancy targeted by late 2024.
• According to US. News & World Report, 3D printed homes offer cost-effective solutions for workforce housing, utilizing fast-setting cement and robotic arms for construction, resulting in less labor-intensive, more energy-efficient, and cost-effective homes.

Backgrounder: Groundwork focuses on addressing housing affordability in Benton and Washington counties in Northwest Arkansas, aiming to create well-designed housing options for workers and their families, supported by the Walton Family Foundation.

• This initiative aims to alleviate obstacles faced by various workers, such as teachers and healthcare workers, in finding affordable housing within the region, ultimately enhancing community engagement and vitality.

 NWA Council Foundation's Affordable Housing Mission: Groundwork - previously the Northwest Arkansas workforce housing center – is focused on the emerging issue of housing affordability in Benton and Washington counties in Northwest Arkansas.

• The goal is to strengthen the bonds in Northwest Arkansas communities by creating a variety of well-designed housing options and mixed-income neighborhoods for the region’s workers and their families.
• Groundwork is being incubated at the Northwest Arkansas Council with support from the Walton Family Foundation.
• The center will collaborate with community partners to develop a strategic plan specific to housing needs and priorities.

Who benefits from affordable housing: Teachers, firefighters, health care workers, manufacturing workers and other residents face increasing obstacles in finding housing at affordable rates relative to their incomes.

• These barriers often prevent people from living in and contributing to the richness of the communities where they work.
• Many Northwest Arkansas residents often choose to live away from the region’s core cities due to lower housing costs in outlying areas.
• Any savings on housing costs by choosing to live outside city centers can be offset by higher transportation costs and increased commute time, making it difficult for people to become engaged in the communities where they work.