Houston’s construction industry is feeling the strain of a growing labor shortage, as immigration enforcement pushes workers off job sites and out of the state.
Crews are on the job before sunrise on Houston’s Northside, framing new homes in one of the most active housing markets in the country. However, contractors told KPRC 2 keeping those crews together has become increasingly difficult.
According to the National Association of Home Builders, immigrant workers make up more than one in four construction workers nationwide — a share the industry says is critical to keeping up with housing demand.
Labor shortage takes toll on Houston homebuilders
The effects of the labor shortage are significant. According to NAHB, shortages add two months to construction timelines, reduce annual housing production by 19,000 homes and cost builders and consumers $10 billion each year.
Aimee Bertrand, CEO of the Greater Houston Builders Association, said Houston sits at the center of the storm.
“We have the largest new home construction market here in Houston, second is only Dallas,” Bertrand said.
Fear keeps workers off job sites
Bertrand told KPRC 2 reporter Sandy Torres the conversation around labor concerns has grown louder in recent months.
“I think the conversation has definitely intensified since over the past few months, probably since the middle of summer,” Bertrand said.
When asked how the concerns have grown, Bertrand pointed to a fear that’s rippling through job sites.
“I think people are concerned, they are concerned for the crews, they want to ensure they have the kind of labor that they need in order to continue to build homes,” Bertrand said.
NAHB has issued guidelines to contractors outlining steps to take if Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids their job sites.
Framing crews, roofers, landscapers hit hardest
The three trades seeing the largest spikes in shortages are framing crews, landscaping workers and roofers, according to NAHB.
Some crews are also leaving Texas altogether, chasing better job opportunities in other states — adding another layer of pressure on an already strained workforce.
Several contractors in the greater Houston area told KPRC 2 they’ve lost multiple workers due to immigration enforcement over the past year.
