SBCA Endorses Dignity Act of 2025, Launches Housing Affordability Tour

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — June 9, 2026 — The Structural Building Components Association (SBCA) announced its endorsement of the bipartisan Dignity Act (HR 4393), legislation designed to strengthen the workforce, support U.S. manufacturing and construction, and help address the nation's housing affordability challenges. The endorsement follows recommendations from SBCA's Advocacy Committee and reflects the association's focus on workforce solutions that support housing production and accessibility.

SBCA formally announced its endorsement during a June 4 press conference at the House Triangle in Washington, D.C., alongside Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27), sponsor of the Dignity Act; Rep. Tom Suozzi (NY-3), Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus; Rep. Laura Gillen (NY-4); Rep. Adam Gray (CA-13); Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA-24); and the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) Action.

For component manufacturers and framers across the country, workforce availability remains one of the most significant challenges to increasing housing production. From manufacturing facilities to jobsites, workforce shortages impact production capacity, construction timelines, housing supply, and ultimately affordability for homebuyers.

"The SBCA represents an industry that is a massive engine for American housing," said Larry Dix II, President of SBCA and a component manufacturer based in Virginia. "Every single day, we work hand-in-hand with builders to frame homes more efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively. But we cannot build the number of homes this country needs without a strong and reliable workforce."

SBCA represents manufacturers of roof trusses, floor trusses, wall panels, and related structural building components used in residential and commercial construction. The industry includes more than 1,350 component manufacturing facilities nationwide, employs nearly 40,000 people, and generates more than $9 billion in annual sales. Approximately 73% of residential construction utilizes roof trusses manufactured by companies like those represented by SBCA.

"The reality is that foreign-born workers play an indispensable role throughout the entire supply chain, including in component manufacturing facilities and on jobsites across the country," said Dix. "These workers help our members meet demand, keep projects moving, and support local economies."

Chris Tatge, Chair of SBCA's Advocacy Committee, SBCA Board Member, National Framers Council Liaison, and a framing contractor based in Wisconsin, emphasized the importance of addressing workforce shortages throughout the construction industry.

"Housing affordability is not just a financing issue or a materials issue. It is also a workforce issue," said Chris Tatge. "If we want to build more homes and make housing more attainable, we need bills like the Dignity Act that help strengthen the construction workforce today while building the next generation of skilled trades professionals for tomorrow."

Introduced by Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27), the Dignity Act combines border security measures with workforce and immigration reforms intended to address labor shortages affecting key sectors of the U.S. economy, including manufacturing and construction. Among its provisions, the legislation would establish a renewable legal work authorization program for certain individuals who have been living and working in the United States for an extended period while also supporting workforce development initiatives aimed at strengthening the future labor force.

After reviewing the legislation and its potential impact on the construction workforce, SBCA's Advocacy Committee recommended the association support the bill as a practical policy option for addressing workforce shortages that affect housing production and affordability.

During the press conference, lawmakers and industry leaders emphasized the connection between workforce availability, housing supply, and affordability.

"The housing market is short an estimated 3.7 million homes. We cannot build our way out of this shortage because the construction industry relies on immigrants," said Rebecca Shi, CEO of ABIC Action. "The Dignity Act is absolutely vital to lowering home prices for Americans by providing a legal pathway and stable work permits for long-term contributors."

Rep. Maria Salazar, sponsor of the Dignity Act, underscored the relationship between workforce availability and housing affordability.

"The Dignity Act is giving dignity back to American families," said Rep. Maria Salazar. "This is a bill for the average American worker. More workers mean more homes, more homes mean lower costs, and lower costs mean the American dream."

Rep. Laura Gillen also highlighted the legislation's potential impact on the construction workforce and housing supply.

"The Dignity Act provides a renewable work authorization for hardworking, taxpaying, vetted individuals who have already been here for more than five years," said Rep. Laura Gillen. "It will strengthen our workforce and the construction industry, help to meet demand and drive down the cost of new homes and projects."

As part of the announcement, SBCA also launched its Housing Affordability Tour, a nationwide initiative that will invite members of Congress and other elected officials to visit component manufacturing facilities and construction operations across the country.

"Through this tour, we are going to open the doors of our facilities across the country to members of Congress," said Dix. "We want policymakers to see firsthand how homes are built, the workforce challenges our members face, and the direct connection between workforce stability, housing supply, and consumer affordability."

The Housing Affordability Tour will provide policymakers with firsthand insight into the role structural building components play in modern home construction and the workforce challenges that impact housing production. Through the tour and its broader advocacy efforts, SBCA will continue serving as a resource for policymakers working to address housing affordability, housing supply, workforce development, manufacturing, and construction-related issues.