Habitat for Humanity has a price point of about $200,000 to build a home. With land prices, lumber prices and a labor shortage, that cost has jumped up to $350,000 — a price that’s unaffordable for their working-class families who earn 40% to 80% of the area median income.

Habitat for Humanity and UM will partner to raise the $60,000 needed for the printer. Harp says it will print 3-by-5-foot blocks to be pieced together. It’s their way of “dipping their toes in the process,” says Harp, to make sure it works with Montana’s climate and seismic activity before investing in a more robust machine.

A much larger printer used in Virginia is placed on the home site and lays walls layer by layer. It costs closer to $1,000,000.