3D Printed Homes May Lead to No More Homeless People in the US

[old man emu]

Theoretically it would be possible to construct a 3D printed house (or a conventionally built house) for every homeless person by throwing money at that part of the problem. However you have to overcome big social constraints.

Firstly, where are you going to get the open space upon which to erect these houses? You couldn't find it in Brooklyn.

Secondly, the people themselves would be reluctant to move from their "homelands" to these "communities for the previously homeless". If you asked a homeless person from New York what they consider themselves to be and I'd bet they would say, "I'm a New Yorker". That's their homeland, in the same way as a Navajo from Arizona is likely to say that is where their homeland is. People don't like to be moved from their homelands even if it means satisfying some of Life's necessities.

There is a third problem which has been experienced in areas established for the particular socio-economic classes. If you pile them into an area, the area gets a reputation which feeds certain types of social behaviour. This applies to the filthy rich; the well-to-do middle classes; blue-collar workers as well as the poor. If you are considering the homeless, unfortunately, putting poor people all together and branding the area they live in as "below acceptable standard" then you are putting these people behind the eight ball from the start.

Sure. Use money to 3D print housing, but plan for the social consequences that will follow.

Old Man Emu