The Pomp Podcast
#970 Brett Hagler On Solving Homelessness Worldwide
- New Story is a nonprofit solving inadequate housing for nearly 1.5 billion people globally (projected 3 billion by 2030) by combining construction innovation, market-driven financing, and technology rather than traditional charity approaches.
- The organization uses construction innovation—including 3D printing partnerships with Icon and locally-designed expandable homes—to reduce costs to $8,000–$15,000 per home while maintaining quality and dignity.
- Financing innovation enables families earning $300–$600/month to make affordable mortgage payments (20–25% of income) over 10–15 years, building credit history and assets without relying on donations alone.
- New Story partners with local banks and credit unions to recycle capital at sustainable rates (~10% interest) so the model scales beyond philanthropy into market-driven homeownership.
- A pilot in El Salvador using Bitcoin and the Lightning Network allows unbanked families to make transparent, frictionless monthly mortgage payments directly from mobile phones.
- The organization operates as a high-caliber, tech-forward nonprofit (influenced by Y Combinator experience) that takes calculated R&D risks on innovations like 3D printing and venture capital fund creation, which traditional nonprofits avoid.