House Approves NAHB-Supported Workforce Development Bill
The House has approved NAHB-supported legislation that would reaffirm congressional support for Job Corps and help address the nation’s skilled labor shortage.
H.R. 6655, the A Stronger Workforce for America Act, would make meaningful investments to prepare students for careers in the construction industry, better fund federal workforce development programs that serve the nation’s most vulnerable job seekers, and introduce reforms that will provide new funding and incentives for workforce education.
Of particular importance to NAHB and the housing community, the legislation reaffirms congressional support for Job Corps, the nation’s most successful career preparation program for disadvantaged youth. NAHB’s workforce training affiliate, the Home Builders Institute, is building the next generation of skilled tradespeople and is the largest Job Corps national trades training contractor.
Addressing the nation’s skilled labor shortage, particularly those trades involved in home construction, is an issue of utmost importance to NAHB and the housing community. In any given month, there is a shortage of roughly 400,000 construction workers, and this lack of workers has resulted in housing construction delays and higher home building costs.
In a letter of support for H.R. 6655 sent to House lawmakers before final vote, NAHB said that this bill would ensure the home building industry has a robust pipeline of skilled labor. “Building more homes and apartments is the only way to tame inflation, meet demand and ease the out-of-control affordability crisis,” the letter stated. “Without a qualified and able workforce, none of this is achievable.”
Latest from NAHBNow
May 01, 2025
Remodeling Market Poised for Growth as the Age of Owner-Occupied Homes IncreasesTo kick off National Home Remodeling Month in May, which promotes the benefits of hiring a professional remodeler and is sponsored by Westlake Royal Building Products, NAHB has highlighted recent data from the American Community Survey that shows almost half of the owner-occupied homes in the U.S. were built before 1980 and have a median age of 41 years. The aging housing stock, combined with insufficient new home inventory, indicates the remodeling market is poised for future growth.
Apr 30, 2025
Bipartisan Companion LIHTC Bill Introduced in SenateSens. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) have introduced NAHB-supported legislation that would improve the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and allow builders to increase production of badly needed affordable rental housing.
Latest Economic News
May 01, 2025
Housing’s Share of the Economy Grows Higher to Start the YearHousing’s share of the economy grew to 16.4% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the advance estimate of GDP produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is the highest reading since the third quarter of 2022 and is up 0.2 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2024.
Apr 30, 2025
U.S. Economy Contracted in First Quarter of 2025The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025 for the first time in three years, driven by a sharp surge in pre-tariff imports, softening consumer spending, and a decline in government spending.
Apr 30, 2025
House Sharing is Not Just for Young AdultsA record-high 6.8 million households shared their housing with unrelated housemates, roommates or boarders in 2023. While college-age and young adults make up the largest subset of house sharers (close to 41%), this type of living arrangement is gaining popularity among older householders fastest, with the 55+ segment accounting for 30% of all house-sharing households in 2023.