Funding Available to Support HBA Workforce Development Programs
The National Housing Endowment (NHE) has set a bold goal for 2022 – to introduce 10,000 young people to career opportunities in the residential skilled trades.
To help meet this challenge, state and local home builders associations are encouraged to apply for the Career Connections grant program, funded by the Skilled Labor Fund and managed by the NHE.
The purpose of this funding is to support activities that introduce students to careers in residential skilled trades, including:
- Traditional “career fairs” where students meet prospective employers in a trade show format
- Presentations where industry professionals educate students about the career opportunities in residential skilled trades
- Industry participation in community or school organized career events
- Any bona fide activity that promotes the trades to students or endeavors to make employment connections
Grants up to $2,500 will be awarded by the Fund. The committee will consider each application and will award funds based upon merit and funding availability. Allocation of funds is determined by a committee representing the SLF, NHE, NAHB and any direction provided by contributors.
Applications are due Feb. 16, 2022, for career events taking place by Nov. 18, 2022. Grant recipients will be announced in March 2022. Contact Mark Pursell, NHE President & CEO, with any questions.
Latest from NAHBNow
Awards | Leading Suppliers Council
Jan 28, 2026
Transparent Flashing from Typar Earns 2026 Spark Innovation AwardThe NAHB Leading Suppliers Council (LSC) recently announced that Typar’s Clear Acrylic Flashing is the winner of the 2026 Spark Award. The flashing is the first and only product of its kind on the market that allows the pattern on window nailing fins to be completely visible upon installation.
Housing Finance
Jan 27, 2026
FHA Extends Temporary Waiver for New Single-Family Flood Elevation RequirementsThe Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced today the extension of a temporary waiver for new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas as part of the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard requirements issued by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jan 28, 2026
Holding Pattern for the FedThe Fed paused its easing cycle at the conclusion of the January meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s monetary policy body. The Fed held the short-term federal funds rate at a top rate of 3.75%, the level set in December. This marked the first policy pause since the Fed resumed easing in September of last year.
Economics
Jan 27, 2026
State-Level Employment Situation: December 2025With few exceptions, year-over-year nonfarm employment levels were relatively stable across states at the end of 2025, ranging from a decline of 4.2 percent to a gain of 1.8 percent. Construction employment, however, showed considerably greater dispersion, with declines of up to 9.3 percent in some states and gains approaching 9.0 percent in others.
Economics
Jan 26, 2026
Pool Permitting Falls Lower in 2025After a rapid expansion of residential swimming pool and spa construction following the pandemic, permit levels in the latest monthly index for December fell to their lowest level since 2020.