Zinke Co-leads Bipartisan Legislation to Address Housing Costs and Train Skilled Workers
The CONSTRUCTS Act would create a first-of-its-kind grant program aimed at increasing the available housing construction workforce
(Washington, D.C.) – Western Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke introduced legislation along with Arizona Congressman Juan Ciscomani, Washington Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, and North Carolina Congressman Don Davis to address the housing workforce shortage in an effort to increase housing supply and lower costs. The Creating Opportunities for New Skills Training at Rural and Underserved Colleges and Trade Schools (CONSTRUCTS) Act would create a new grant program through the Department of Labor, to train and support the skilled laborers required for the construction of homes. The funds will go to trade schools, community colleges, and other eligible programs, as well as outreach programs partnered with local businesses. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Jackie Rosen of Nevada.
Housing costs hit an all-time high in 2024. Overreaching regulation, supply and worker shortage, and a lack of critical infrastructure contribute to rising costs that perpetuate America’s housing crisis, leaving millions of Americans without access to safe and affordable homes. Montana specifically was recently ranked as the least affordable housing market in America by the National Association of Realtors.
“Owning a home is a part of the American dream that has become out of reach for too many in our country and especially in Montana,” said Congressman Zinke. “Skilled labor shortages are affecting every industry. In the housing market, it is leading to fewer homes being built, which drives up the cost of the homes already on the market. This legislation will support programs that train much-needed laborers which will benefit both the students who will learn skills that can earn them a stable income and the economy. I want to thank Congressman Ciscomani, Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, and Congressman Davis for their work on this important legislation.”
“In southern Arizona, and across the United States, there is a critical need for additional housing,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “However, the current shortage of skilled workers is driving construction costs higher and causing project delays, limiting supply and leading to even higher home prices. This bill will expand access to construction training programs at community colleges, junior colleges, and trade schools to bolster the workforce of skilled construction workers, support high-demand, well-paying jobs for students, and increase the supply of housing units in order to make housing more affordable for everyone.”
“By investing in construction education and related skills training programs, Congress can create a robust talent pipeline,” said Congressman Don Davis. “We must leave no stone unturned as we develop the workforce of tomorrow.”
“With the residential construction industry suffering a severe labor shortage that is delaying home building projects and raising housing costs, we commend Rep. Ryan Zinke for taking a leading role to make housing more affordable for Montanans and all Americans,” said Eugene Graf, CEO of Bozeman based E.G. Construction, former President of the Montana Building Industry Association, and National Association of Home Builders member. “The bipartisan CONSTRUCTS Act championed by Rep. Zinke will provide meaningful investments in our nation’s education system to encourage students to pursue careers in the residential construction trades. This legislation is an important step to make housing more affordable for citizens of Montana and across the nation.”
“NAHB commends Reps. Juan Ciscomani, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, Ryan Zinke and Don Davis for introducing the CONSTRUCTS Act, companion legislation to the Senate bill introduced earlier this year,” said Carl Harris, Chairman of the National Association of Home Builders. “With the housing industry facing a severe labor shortage that is exacerbating the housing affordability crisis through higher home building costs and construction delays, the bipartisan and bicameral CONSTRUCTS Act will strengthen America’s workforce pipeline by creating a new grant program to fund residential housing construction education and skills training programs at our nation’s community college and trade schools.”
Background:
Congressman Zinke has been proposing legislation, as well as fighting regulation and bureaucracy over housing issues since coming back to Congress in 2022. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Zinke included a pilot program to address rapidly inflating rental costs in rural communities in the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Act for Fiscal Year 2025. Earlier this year he cosponsored The HELPER Act, which would establish a new home loan program to assist police officers, first responders, teachers and other public servants in buying their first homes. Zinke also protected over $3 million dollars in Montana affordable housing funds that were scheduled to be clawed back by the Department of Housing and Urban Development by grilling Secretary Adrianne Todman in an Appropriations hearing and working relentlessly until the funds were returned.
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