Senate Introduces NAHB-Supported Workforce Development Bill
Bipartisan legislation championed by NAHB that is tailored specifically to ease the severe residential construction labor shortage was introduced in the Senate yesterday.
Sens. Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) introduced the Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural or Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools (CONSTRUCTS) Act, legislation that will support the construction workforce, help improve the housing supply and bend the rising housing cost curve across the nation. Both senators championed this bill in the previous Congress as well.
The CONSTRUCTS Act directly addresses the lack of workers in the housing sector by expanding opportunities for residential construction training programs at community colleges, technical education schools and other training programs.
In any given month, there is a shortage of 200,000 to 400,000 construction workers, and home builders will need to add 2.2 million new workers over the next three years just to keep up with demand. By supporting funding for building and construction trades education, this legislation would bolster the housing workforce and directly address the shortage of skilled construction workers.
Companion legislation is expected to be introduced in the House in the near term.
Latest from NAHBNow
Economics
May 23, 2025
Volatile Spring Selling Season ContinuesSales of newly built, single-family homes in April increased 10.9% to a 743,000 seasonally adjusted annual rate from a downwardly revised March number, according to newly released data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Census Bureau. The pace of new home sales in April was up 3.3% compared to a year earlier.
Material Costs
May 22, 2025
NAHB Members Cite Impact of Tariff Uncertainty on Home BuildingTariff uncertainty from the Trump administration continues to impact home builders across the country, as builders prepare for potential price hikes and supply chain issues. NAHB members have been sharing the impact that these tariffs are having with media outlets across the United States.
Latest Economic News
Economics
May 22, 2025
Existing Home Sales Fall in AprilDespite the brief retreat in mortgage rates and increased supply, existing home sales dropped to 7-month low in April, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This unexpected decline suggests buyers’ activity continues to be constrained by economic uncertainty and ongoing affordability challenges even with improved market conditions.
Economics
May 22, 2025
Income Growth Helps Mute Existing Affordability ConstraintsDespite solid income gains and lower home prices, Americans still continue to face major housing affordability challenges, according to the latest data from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Cost of Housing Index (CHI).
Economics
May 21, 2025
Gains for Multifamily Missing Middle over Last YearThe missing middle construction sector includes development of medium-density housing, such as townhouses, duplexes and other small multifamily properties.