WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev) introduced legislation to invest in the construction workforce as a way to help increase housing supply and lower housing costs for Tennesseans. 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.

“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.”

“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.”

“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.”