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
May 13, 2025
What Are the Highest Paying Jobs in Construction?Half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $60,320, compared to the U.S. median annual pay of $49,500, and the top 25% make at least $81,510, according to the latest May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and analysis by NAHB. See which occupations in the construction are the highest earning.
May 12, 2025
Statement from NAHB Chairman Buddy Hughes on U.S.-China Tariff AgreementBuddy Hughes, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder and developer from Lexington, N.C., issued a statement after the U.S. and China announced a 90-day pause on most of the tariffs each nation has imposed on one another.
Latest Economic News
May 13, 2025
Inflation Eased Again in AprilInflation slowed to a 4-year low in April while shelter inflation remained elevated. Despite the easing, inflation may pick up in the coming months as possible inflationary pressure from enacted tariffs and other policy uncertainties continues to threaten economic growth and complicate the Fed’s path to its 2% target.
May 13, 2025
Residential Mortgages Experience Weaker Demand in First QuarterOverall demand for residential mortgages was weaker while lending standards for most types of residential mortgages were essentially unchanged according to the Federal Reserve Board’s April 2025 Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey (SLOOS).
May 13, 2025
Highest Paid Occupations in Construction in 2024Half of payroll workers in construction earn more than $60,320 and the top 25% make at least $81,510, according to the latest May 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). In comparison, the U.S. median annual pay is $49,500, while the top quartile (the highest paid 25%) makes at least $78,810.