WASHINGTON, D.C. (RFD News) — Rural housing programs could see major changes after the House passed a bipartisan housing package that includes reforms to USDA’s Rural Housing Service. The rural provisions are aimed at preserving affordable housing, speeding applications, and helping small communities keep families, seniors, and workers housed.
The Rural Housing Service Reform Act would create a permanent program to preserve USDA-financed affordable rental housing. Supporters say that matters as aging rural properties leave affordability protections when USDA-backed mortgages mature.
The bill would also modernize USDA technology and staffing, expand home repair grants and financing, and add support for homes with in-home daycare facilities.
For rural communities, the issue connects directly to workforce stability. Housing shortages can make it harder for farms, agribusinesses, schools, hospitals, and small employers to recruit and retain workers.
The bill is not law yet and still needs Senate action before reaching President Trump.
Workforce shortages in rural America are also straining farm and ranch operations, as industry leaders and lawmakers continue to weigh how artificial intelligence (AI) may impact labor needs across the agricultural supply chain.
While some are looking to AI to help address labor gaps, others are emphasizing the continued importance of practical, hands-on expertise and technical skills in today’s economy.
Former Pennsylvania Congressman Jason Altmire, now President and CEO of Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), joined us on Thursday’s Market Day Report to discuss workforce trends and the growing need for skilled labor across rural communities.
In his conversation with RFD News, Altmire discussed long-term trends surrounding the pursuit and promotion of skilled labor careers and the impact those shifts are having on today’s workforce. He also shared concerns about shortages in technical and hands-on professions that remain critical to the broader economy.
Altmire further explained that despite increasing focus on AI and automation, many sectors — including agriculture and rural industries — still rely heavily on workers with specialized technical training and practical experience. He also outlined what he believes needs to happen to help rural communities build and maintain a dependable, skilled workforce moving forward.
