Last week, NHCA traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in NAHREP’s Homeownership and Housing Policy Conference. With over a thousand attendees, the event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with key stakeholders in the real estate and housing production sectors. However, this year, there was a noticeable shift in focus—housing production took center stage like never before.
While housing production has always been part of the discussion at this annual conference, the level of urgency surrounding the topic was more pronounced than in previous years. Housing advocates have long identified the lack of housing production as a critical issue, but the scale of the crisis has become impossible to ignore. The national housing shortage continues to grow, and many experts are sounding the alarm, recognizing that a lack of skilled labor is one of the greatest obstacles to solving the problem.
The conversation around labor shortages is becoming more urgent, especially as immigration policies and enforcement practices further complicate an already dire situation. While NHCA has only heard of a handful of direct enforcement incidents affecting our members, the broader climate of fear among Hispanic construction workers—both documented and undocumented—is undeniable.
For undocumented workers, the greatest fear is deportation and the potential separation from their families. While there is broad consensus that violent criminals should be prosecuted and deported, targeting hardworking individuals who contribute to our economy and help build our communities is a different matter. Beyond humanitarian concerns, these enforcement actions have a tangible economic impact. Construction businesses are struggling to staff projects, meet deadlines, and manage costs amid ongoing uncertainty about labor availability.
This is why NHCA’s role in the industry is more critical than ever. At the conference, our presence reinforced a growing demand for a national organization that advocates for Hispanic construction professionals—not just on labor and immigration issues, but across the full spectrum of challenges and opportunities in the industry. Our mission encompasses workforce development, access to capital, networking, community empowerment, and advocacy. The response to our work has been overwhelmingly positive, reaffirming the necessity of building a national voice for Hispanics in construction.
Growing NHCA has not been an easy endeavor. Just over a year into this journey, we now understand why previous efforts to create a national alliance either failed or never got off the ground. Yet, despite the challenges, we continue to make progress. With seven chapters and over 1,700 members, we are seeing an increasing demand for NHCA’s presence in markets across the country. This week, our targeted expansion has grown to include Kentucky, Connecticut, and Michigan—three new regions where we see strong potential for impact.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on strengthening our organization’s reach and influence. We are working to develop new partnerships, expand educational initiatives, and advocate for policies that will support and uplift Hispanic construction workers and business owners. The challenges in the housing and construction industries are significant, but NHCA is committed to being part of the solution. Together, we can build not only homes and infrastructure but also a more inclusive and equitable industry for all.
Thank you for being part of our journey!
Let’s continue working together to shape the future of construction and create new opportunities for our community.