Labor Bill Aims to Ease Workforce Shortage
Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pa.) has introduced the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 3734), legislation that would help alleviate the worker shortage in the construction industry by establishing a market-driven visa system to help employers find more laborers.
Employers would be required to prove they were unable to find American workers for vacant positions, pay them fair wages based on local wage data, and use E-Verify to make sure only legal immigrants are hired. NAHB believes that such a temporary, flexible visa system would help address the chronic labor shortage in the residential construction industry.
Learn more about addressing the workforce shortage issue on nahb.org.
Latest from NAHBNow
Design
Dec 04, 2025
Top Color Trends for 2026Neutrals and rich, luxurious hues dominate this year's color trends, along with sophisticated greens. Whether you’re helping a client with a bathroom remodel or searching for fresh ideas for a model home, you can use these color trends for inspiration for your next project. Check out the 2026 Colors of the Year.
Education at IBS
Dec 04, 2025
How IBS 2026 Can Provide a Tech-Focused Strategy for Your BusinessTechnology is no longer optional. Whether in estimating, virtual tours, CRM workflows or jobsite visibility, smart tech is a differentiator for your company. Check out these three key tools at the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS) in Orlando to help you get a jumpstart on tech for your business in the coming year.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Dec 04, 2025
Number of Bathrooms in New Single-Family Homes in 2024Single-family homes started in 2024 typically had two full bathrooms, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Construction. Homes with three full bathrooms continued to have the second largest share of starts at around 23%. Meanwhile, both homes with four full bathrooms or more and homes with one bathroom or less made up under ten percent of homes started.
Economics
Dec 03, 2025
House Price Appreciation by State and Metro Area: Third Quarter 2025House prices continued to rise in the third quarter of 2025, though the pace of growth slowed as elevated mortgage rates, affordability challenges, and persistent economic uncertainty weighed on consumer demand. After several years of rapid growth, Hawaii and 38 metro areas saw house price declines this quarter, highlighting significant regional variations in market conditions.
Economics
Dec 02, 2025
Single-Family Construction Loan Volume Rises in the Third QuarterSingle-family construction lending picked up in the third quarter, amidst the overall cooling lending environment. Loan balances for 1-4 family construction grew to $91.2 billion in the third quarter, registering the first annual increase in over two years.