Rosen, Blackburn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Support Housing Construction Workforce, Help Lower Housing Costs

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) introduced legislation to invest in the construction workforce as a way to help increase housing supply and lower housing costs for Nevadans. The bipartisan Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural or Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools (CONSTRUCTS) Act would direct the Department of Labor to create a new grant program to fund education and skills training programs for residential housing construction at community colleges and technical schools. This training will give more workers skills in residential construction and address the shortage of construction workers, addressing a key barrier to building more homes that can help lower housing costs.

"Nevada is facing a housing affordability crisis, and the shortage of skilled construction workers is limiting supply and driving up costs," said Senator Rosen. "I'm introducing this bipartisan legislation to tackle the shortage of skilled construction workers, which will help increase housing stock and lower costs. I'm going to keep doing everything in my power to make sure prices go down."

"We are currently facing a shortage of highly skilled construction workers, which drives up the price of construction," said Senator Blackburn. "The CONSTRUCTS Act would expand opportunities for training programs at community colleges and technical education schools to help students enter and excel in the residential construction industry."

"The National Association of Home Builders commends Sens. Rosen and Blackburn for introducing the CONSTRUCTS Act, legislation that will ease the severe labor shortage in the home building industry that is causing construction delays and raising housing costs," said Carl Harris, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. "In any given month, our industry faces a shortage of between 200,000 and 400,000 construction workers. By supporting new and existing residential construction education programs, the CONSTRUCTS Act will help ensure we have enough workers to build the homes our nation needs."

"The Local Initiatives Support Corporation applauds the reintroduction of the CONSTRUCTS Act. Communities thrive when people have access to quality, affordable housing and job opportunities that enable them to prosper," said Matt Josephs, Senior Vice President for Policy at Local Initiatives Support Corporation. "If enacted, this bill would address housing shortages in rural and underserved areas throughout the country while creating well-paying jobs in the residential construction industry."

"The Nevada Housing Coalition supports the CONSTRUCTS Act as it addresses critical workforce needs in the residential construction industry," said Maurice Page, Executive Director of the Nevada Housing Coalition. "This initiative aligns with our mission to enhance affordable housing through workforce development and education, ensuring that more Nevadans, particularly those from rural and underserved communities, have the skills needed for careers in this vital sector."

"I want to thank Senator Rosen for introducing this vital legislation that will significantly enhance our community colleges' ability to provide cutting-edge workforce development programs tailored to the residential housing construction industry," said Patricia Charlton, Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. "By creating new opportunities for skills training at our institutions, we can better prepare our students and incumbent workers for high-demand jobs aimed at addressing Nevada's housing crisis and empower our local communities with well-trained professionals ready to contribute to our state's economic growth."

"The Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce applauds Senator Rosen for introducing the CONSTRUCTS Act," said Ann Silver, CEO of the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce. "Our community colleges and trade schools are the engines that drive workforce development. This legislation provides the fuel these institutions need to develop skilled residential construction workers, who, in turn, will build much-needed housing in northern Nevada."

"The Vegas Chamber commends U.S. Senator Rosen for introducing the CONSTRUCTS Act," said Mary Beth Sewald, President and CEO of the Vegas Chamber. "This legislation will incentivize community colleges across the country to fund residential housing construction education and workforce training programs through a competitive grant process by the U.S. Department of Labor. This legislation demonstrates an innovative approach to helping address workforce development needs by providing another pathway to Nevadans that want to pursue a career in the residential construction industry."

"We are pleased to support the proposed CONSTRUCTS Act," said Amber Donnelli, President of Great Basin College. "Throughout our vast rural network, GBC links arms with industry to host robust workforce development programs, and this funding will be a welcome addition to our training. Most communities we serve have insufficient residential housing. This construction workforce bill is an important step forward in helping to offer families a living wage and a family home."

This legislation is also endorsed by the Nevada Rural Housing Authority, Nevada State University, Nevada HAND, and Enterprise Community Partners.

Senator Rosen has been working to support Nevada's skilled workforce. Last year, she called on the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Labor to work together to bolster the construction workforce through investments in training and apprenticeship programs. Senator Rosen has also announced funding to increase women's access to skilled trades apprenticeship programs in Southern Nevada and announced over $4 million for registered apprenticeships and workforce development in northern Nevada.

Senator Rosen is also working to lower housing costs. Last year, she urged HUD to increase the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority's (SNRHA) Housing Choice Vouchers allocation by 10,000 vouchers over five years. Senator Rosen also called on Senate leadership to address rising housing prices and lower costs for Nevada families through a series of Congressional actions she outlined.

###