H.R. 7242: Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026

The Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026 aims to enhance the training and employment opportunities for individuals in the residential construction sector. The key points of the bill are as follows:

Expansion of Training Programs

The bill amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to prioritize the development of training programs specifically for residential construction trades. These trades include:

• Carpentry
• Plumbing
• Electrical trades
• Masonry
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

Employer Incentives

The bill establishes a program that provides financial incentives for residential construction firms that hire graduates from Job Corps residential construction programs. The details include:

• Firms must hire a graduate within six months of their completion of the Job Corps program.
• Firms must retain that graduate for a consecutive 12-month period.
• Successful firms will receive a grant of $5,000 as an incentive.
• Firms must provide verification documents, such as payroll tax filings, to confirm employment.

Industry Partnerships

The bill encourages partnerships between the Secretary of Labor and large trade associations in the residential construction industry. These partnerships aim to:

• Facilitate the acceptance of Job Corps graduates into registered apprenticeship programs in residential construction.
• Ensure that the curriculum used in training programs is regularly reviewed and updated to include new construction technologies.

Funding Authorization

The Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026 authorizes an appropriation of $200 million for fiscal year 2026 to support various initiatives outlined in the bill, including:

• The grant program for hiring Job Corps graduates.
• The prioritization of training programs in residential construction trades.
• The facilitation of partnerships and curriculum updates.

Implementation Timeline

The Secretary of Labor is required to establish the employer incentive program within one year of enactment and to ensure that curricula updates happen every 24 months to remain current with industry advancements.

Relevant Companies

• DHI (D.R. Horton, Inc.): As one of the largest homebuilders in the United States, D.R. Horton could benefit from increased workforce availability and training programs for new construction workers.
• TOL (Toll Brothers, Inc.): Specializing in luxury homes, Toll Brothers may also find a more skilled labor force as graduates from Job Corps programs enter the workforce.
• KBH (KB Home): This company could leverage the trained workforce to accelerate its residential construction projects, potentially improving efficiency and reducing costs.