Hispanics play a vital role in the construction industry workforce, and there’s a great opportunity to enhance their representation in advocating for positive changes within the sector. Recognizing this potential, the government affairs committee is stepping up to bridge the representation gap. This proactive move involves educating policymakers and actively advocating for policies and initiatives that specifically benefit the construction community.
To effectively address the challenge of affordable housing, Financial incentives play a pivotal role in making housing projects feasible and attractive for developers and builders. These incentives can take various forms, such as tax credits, grants, or subsidized loans, all designed to lower the construction costs and, consequently, the prices for consumers. Tax credits provide direct reductions in tax liability for developers focusing on affordable housing, making these projects more profitable. Grants offer upfront funding, reducing the initial capital requirements. Subsidized loans, on the other hand, lower the cost of borrowing, making the financing of these projects more accessible. Together, these incentives serve a dual purpose: they reduce the financial burden on developers, enabling them to focus on affordable housing, and they make these housing options more accessible to low-income groups. By incorporating these financial incentives into housing and construction legislation, we can create a more conducive environment for the development of affordable housing, addressing a critical need in many communities.
Conversion of commercial properties into residential living spaces in response to the surplus of empty commercial spaces caused by the post-COVID shift towards remote work. Recognizing the potential for revitalizing communities and addressing the pressing need for affordable housing, NHCA is promoting the streamlining of zoning and permitting processes nationwide to facilitate these conversions. NHCA is engaging in efforts to secure government funding for affordable housing within commercial construction projects. This transformative initiative aims to combat housing shortages, foster community revitalization, stimulate economic growth, and promote sustainable urban development and accessible housing options in rural areas.
NHCA aims to address a vital issue of labor shortages in the construction industry, a sector pivotal to the nation's infrastructure and economic vitality. The H-2B visa program, designed for non-agricultural temporary workers, is a critical pathway for many in the construction industry. We propose adjusting the cap on H-2B visas to reflect the actual demand in the construction industry and introducing mechanisms to adjust these caps based on economic needs. The government also needs to simplify the visa application process to reduce delays and provide more certainty to employers and workers. Government needs to prioritize skilled labor in immigration policies which will contribute to the overall economic growth.
NHCA is committed to combating wage theft in the construction industry, recognizing it as a critical social justice imperative. NHCA is dedicated to working collaboratively with government agencies, unions, and businesses to develop and enforce stringent regulations against wage theft, a practice that disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. Our efforts will center on promoting transparency and accountability in payment practices, supporting and empowering workers to understand and assert their rights, and advocating for robust legal protections that hold bad actors accountable. This comprehensive approach underscores our commitment to ensuring fair treatment of all workers, fostering a just, equitable, and thriving construction industry.