Brett Hagler, CEO of New Story, is on a mission to end global homelessness through innovative solutions. He discusses the impact of 3D printing, having built the world’s first community in Mexico, and highlights how they've provided over 2,300 homes. Brett shares insights from their experience with startup accelerator Y Combinator, emphasizing scalable financing for families in Latin America. The conversation also touches on creativity in problem-solving and the hopeful future of housing access, urging listeners to get involved in this vital cause.
New Story leverages innovative technologies, such as 3D printing, to create affordable housing solutions for low-income families in Latin America.
The organization's success with Y Combinator highlights the importance of a business-oriented approach to maximize social impact in nonprofits.
Deep dives
Innovative Solutions to Homelessness
A nonprofit organization is actively developing creative approaches to combat global homelessness, focusing predominantly on families in Latin America facing inadequate housing situations. This organization is especially dedicated to reducing the financial barriers these families encounter, working with those earning between $3 to $10 a day. Their innovative solutions involve not only leveraging new technologies but also improving traditional construction practices to provide more affordable housing options. Through their efforts, they aim to understand the underlying issues preventing access to housing and to implement scalable solutions that truly enhance living conditions.
The Impact of 3D Printing Technology
An exciting breakthrough in the fight against homelessness is the use of 3D printing technology, which has proven to be a faster, cheaper, and higher-quality method of building homes compared to traditional construction. The organization achieved a remarkable milestone by completing the world's first 3D printed community in Mexico, showcasing the potential of this technology to address housing shortages effectively. By aiming to lower the cost of homes to around $5,000 to $6,000, the organization is opening up opportunities for families to afford homes and transition out of inadequate living situations. This project represents a significant step forward, emphasizing the importance of innovation in combating longstanding social issues.
Lesson in Entrepreneurial Spirit
The journey of the nonprofit highlights the fusion of entrepreneurial spirit with social impact, as its leaders emphasize the need for a business-oriented mindset in the nonprofit sector. The organization was accepted into a highly competitive startup accelerator, Y Combinator, marking a pivotal moment that allowed them to refine their strategies and operations, similar to successful tech companies. The focus on innovative thinking not only enhances their effectiveness but also serves as an inspiration for other nonprofits to adopt similar forward-thinking approaches. By creating a modern nonprofit model, they are paving the way for a new era of impactful humanitarian efforts.
Addressing the Cycle of Poverty
A critical aspect of the organization's mission is addressing the broader implications of inadequate housing on families, emphasizing that poor living conditions lead to reliance on survival mode rather than enabling long-term growth and stability. Families living in such conditions face myriad challenges, including health risks and economic limitations, which can perpetuate the cycle of poverty. By providing access to secure housing, the organization not only improves immediate living conditions but also opens doors to enhanced economic opportunities and overall well-being for these families. The vision is that improved housing will contribute positively to community dynamics, ultimately allowing families to thrive and break free from cycles of disadvantage.
The nonprofit New Story is solving global homelessness with innovative and holistic solutions. By providing financing and creating innovative home designs and processes, New Story has built 26 communities in four countries, all while partnering with local builders using local resources. The organization prides itself on experimenting with new housing solutions — they even built the world’s first 3D printed community in Mexico. Since 2015, New Story has funded more than 2,300 homes for more than 11,000 people.
In this episode, Branden speaks with New Story’s CEO, Brett Hagler, about the organization’s experience with startup accelerator Y Combinator, how New Story is coming up with scalable, more efficient solutions for ending homelessness, and how New Story’s latest project is helping improve financing access for families in Latin America. He also shares why we can be hopeful about the future of housing access.