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
Economics
Aug 06, 2026
Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Second Quarter
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the second quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by NAHB. The MMS produces two separate indices. The Multifamily Production Index (MPI) had a reading of 43, down three points year-over-year, while the Multifamily Occupancy Index (MOI) had a reading of 74, down eight points year-over-year.
Disaster Response
Aug 05, 2026
How to Help Spokane Relief and Recovery Efforts
A series of fast-moving wildfires recently broke out in and around Spokane, Wash., causing widespread destruction. In response, the Spokane Home Builders Association is accepting donations to the Spokane Wildfire Disaster Relief Fund to provide support to the communities hit hardest by the wildfires.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Aug 06, 2026
Multifamily Developer Confidence Weakens in Second Quarter
Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing weakened year-over-year in the second quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate indices.
Economics
Aug 06, 2026
Mortgage Rates Climb Again as Iran Conflict Re-escalates
Re-escalation of the conflict in Iran pushed mortgage rates higher in July. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 6.54% in July, up 5 basis points (bps) over June. Since the conflict in the Middle East began, the 30-year mortgage rate has climbed by almost 50 bps.
Economics
Aug 05, 2026
U.S. Economy Expanded at a Slower Pace in the Second Quarter of 2026
Real GDP growth slowed in the second quarter of 2026, as a pullback in government spending and slower growth in investment and exports, more than offset stronger consumer spending.