Last week, the Casita Coalition hosted its Build the Middle conference in Pasadena, highlighting one of the most pressing issues facing communities across the nation: creating more attainable housing for the average worker. The event underscored the growing importance of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) as a practical solution that serves working families while expanding housing supply in neighborhoods of every size.
ADUs—often referred to as backyard homes, casitas, or in-law units—are not just a local trend; they are part of a national strategy to address the housing shortage. Across the country, families are searching for affordable and flexible living options, and ADUs provide a way to meet those needs while strengthening communities. What resonated most from the discussions was the recognition that these solutions matter to everyday people—teachers, nurses, construction workers, and countless others—who deserve housing that is both attainable and dignified.
At the National Hispanic Construction Alliance (NHCA), we see this need reflected in every region. Our members are the skilled professionals who keep the construction industry moving, and they also come from the very communities most impacted by housing instability. This is where the missions of Casita Coalition and NHCA intersect: they are focused on advancing housing innovation, and we are focused on ensuring that the construction ecosystem has the workforce and business capacity to deliver those solutions.
That capacity building will be front and center at NHCA @ AVANCE, our national conference taking place September 18–21 in San Diego. This four-day event will bring together contractors, developers, industry leaders, and policymakers from across the country to strengthen the construction ecosystem and chart new pathways for growth.
We are especially excited to spotlight our Build the Builder initiative, which is designed to help more construction professionals, many of them small business owners and subcontractors, transition into the development space. By equipping today’s workforce with the tools, resources, and networks they need, we can ensure that builders are prepared to deliver housing at any type and at any scale, from single-family ADUs to larger multifamily projects.
The truth is that the housing shortage is not confined to any one state or city. It is a national challenge, and meeting it requires both policy innovation and a strong, resilient construction industry ready to build. Casita Coalition’s work to elevate housing solutions like ADUs is a vital step, and NHCA’s mission to empower the workforce ensures those solutions can become reality.
Together, our organizations are building the foundation for a more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable housing future. By connecting vision with capacity, and policy with practice, we are creating a stronger construction ecosystem—one that is ready to meet the housing needs of America’s workers, families, and communities.